Effingham County Welcomes Consul General of Belgium for Visit to Aertssen Logistics

November 6, 2025

(L-R): Dorie Bacon, Brandt Herndon, Jessica Hood, Katherine Raeymaekers, Wouter Clissen, Tess Leyshock, Sophie Desmet, Tom Paeshuys

RINCON, GA – The Consul General of Belgium, Katherine Raeymaekers, recently visited Effingham County to tour Aertssen Logistics’ North American headquarters and explore opportunities to strengthen connections between Belgium and the Coastal Georgia region. The visit was coordinated in partnership with World Trade Center Savannah as part of the Consul’s broader visit to Savannah.

Consul General Raeymaekers was joined by Tom Paeshuys, Port Representative for North America for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges; Tess Leyshock, Senior Industry Engagement Manager for the Center of Innovation for Logistics; Dorie Bacon, Senior Project Manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and representatives from the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA) and Aertssen Logistics.

During the visit, the group shared insights on expanding international partnerships between the Port of Savannah and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges—two globally significant logistics hubs with strong potential for collaboration in trade and supply chain innovation. The ECIDA provided a community overview highlighting Effingham County’s strategic advantages, while Aertssen Logistics shared updates on its rapid growth and operations.

Aertssen Logistics, a division of the Aertssen Group, is a 100% family-owned company employing more than 2,500 people across 30 countries. The company began in 1964 as a moving and earthworks business that helped construct the Port of Antwerp and has since expanded into six core sectors: infrastructure, lifting, transport, real estate, wind, and logistics. Its Effingham County facility, which opened in May 2024, now totals more than 648,000 square feet and employs 72 people.

“We love our Effingham location,” said Wouter Clissen, Aertssen Logistics’ U.S. General Manager. “It is geographically advantageous, positioned close to the Port of Savannah and major interstates, which allows us to efficiently serve our clients across North America. Beyond logistics, we’ve found that Effingham offers a skilled and motivated workforce, a welcoming business environment, and a sense of community that aligns with our company’s values. It’s been an ideal place to grow our presence in the United States.”

Speaking on Belgium’s business culture and the company’s integration into the region, Consul General Katherine Raeymaekers added, “We Belgians blend in because we like to live local, hire local, and become part of the communities where we operate. Aertssen is a perfect example of how a Belgian company can plant roots, contribute to the local economy, and build meaningful, long-term relationships. The connection between Effingham County, the Port of Savannah, and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges reflects the kind of international cooperation that benefits both our nations.”

ECIDA CEO Brandt Herndon shared, “It was our pleasure to help host Consul General Raeymaekers during her visit to Effingham County. We’re grateful to Aertssen Logistics for opening their doors and to World Trade Center Savannah for helping make this visit possible. Opportunities like this underscore the importance of international partnerships and the strong global connections that support our regional economy.”

The visit concluded with discussions about strengthening ties between Effingham County and Belgium through trade, investment, and shared innovation in logistics, manufacturing, and workforce development.

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