15 years GM Recycling
Amidst the hustle and bustle of MATEXPO in Kortrijk—the leading trade fair for the construction and recycling sector—GM Recycling’s stand is impossible to miss. On a warm September day, amid the impressive machines, enthusiastic team, and familiar faces, there is a special energy in the air. Not only because the family business is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year, but also because it tells a story of perseverance, craftsmanship, and family.

From a one-man business to an established name
What is now an internationally established player in the recycling sector started fifteen years ago in a small office at Freddy Gillis and Karine Martens’ home. “I just started repairing and improving recycling machines,” says Freddy. “Selling new machines was something I never thought of in the beginning. But customers kept asking for it, and that’s how the ball started rolling.”

What started as a sole proprietorship slowly but surely grew into a solid company. “In the beginning, there were four of us in the office,” laughs Freddy. “We even had to agree on who was allowed to make phone calls, because otherwise no one could hear each other. But step by step, we grew. Without any big plans, just by working hard and always striving to improve.”

That approach proved successful. Today, GM Recycling is the exclusive importer for a handful of leading international brands such as Gipo, Powerscreen, Terex Ecotec, and McLanahan, and supplies customized recycling machines to customers at home and abroad. “We’re not focused on mass production,” says Freddy. “Every machine we deliver has to be just right. We listen to the customer, think along with them, and make sure everything works as it should. That’s our strength.”

Entrepreneurial spirit and courage
Freddy’s story is one of craftsmanship, but also of courage. This is evident from one of his favorite anecdotes. “I once had my eye on a shredder in Finland,” he says with a smile. “It was a beautiful machine, but it cost €458,000—and I didn’t have the money. Still, I got on a plane to Helsinki, determined not to return without a deal. After a long day of negotiations, the supplier finally gave in, on condition that I put up my property in Belgium as collateral and sold the machine within three months. It was a gamble, but I felt it was the right thing to do. Two months later, the machine was sold. It wasn’t without stress, and luckily Karine only found out about it afterwards! But that still characterizes us today. We dare to take risks when we believe in what we are doing.”

The next generation
Freddy now shares the helm with his daughter Emma, who has taken over day-to-day management together with Brecht. Today, the new duo complement each other perfectly: Emma manages administration and finance, while Brecht is responsible for technical matters. “Our strengths and weaknesses balance each other out nicely,” says Emma. “That makes us a strong team.”

What sets GM Recycling apart is not only their technical expertise, but above all their human approach. “We are always available,” emphasizes Freddy. “We even answer the phone on weekends. Customers know they can count on us.” And the same warm atmosphere prevails within the team. “We try to take good care of our people,” says Freddy. We treat our employees the way we would like to be treated ourselves.“ Emma nods: ”That’s our strength as a family business. We look at every situation personally. No rules, no distance. Just honest, human, and committed.”

The loss of a pillar of support
However, the company recently experienced its darkest days. On January 2, 2024, Karine Martens, co-founder of GM Recycling, wife of Freddy, and beloved mother of Emma, passed away suddenly. “When Mom died, our world stopped,” Emma says candidly. “She was the heart of our family and our business. Suddenly, I had to take on the responsibility that she always carried. That was tough.“ Brecht adds: ”Karine was the backbone of us all. She had boundless energy, and she believed in us. She always said, ‘Go ahead, I’m behind you.’ It’s hard not to have her here, especially now, at MATEXPO. This is the first edition without her, and that weighs heavily on us.“ Yet everyone feels that she is present in spirit. ”Mom will not be forgotten,“ says Emma. ”Many customers still talk to me about her. They tell stories about her, about what she was like. That’s comforting. It gives me courage.”

The future in motion

Despite the sadness, GM Recycling continued to grow. The company is now on the verge of a new chapter: a move to a larger site with modern infrastructure. “Our current location has simply become too small,” explains Freddy. “The machines are getting bigger, the team is growing, and we want to be able to work more efficiently. The plans for our new site are ready.” Meanwhile, GM’s international presence is also expanding. In addition to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the company now also supplies machines to customers in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. “That’s the beauty of what we do,” says Freddy. “Our know-how from Flanders is so high that our second-hand machines can still be used for years in other countries. That says a lot about our quality.”

MATEXPO 2025: a moment full of meaning
MATEXPO is more than just a trade fair for the company. It is a moment of pride, connection, and solidarity. “For us, it’s 50% business and 50% pleasure,” says Freddy with a smile. “We showcase our latest machines, but we also celebrate our customers. Some of them have been working with us for more than ten years. MATEXPO is the perfect moment to thank them.” Emma adds: “Every year, we organize a party on Friday evening with the whole team and our most loyal customers. It’s our way of saying: thank you for your trust, because without them we wouldn’t be here.”

Looking ahead
Today, GM Recycling is stronger than ever. A company built on passion for the profession, humanity, and family. “We’ve had difficult moments,” Emma concludes. “But we’ve learned that support, teamwork, and resilience can overcome anything. My greatest hope is that we continue to uphold my mother’s values—honesty, respect, and passion—and that we continue to grow for many years to come. Because that’s what Mom would have wanted.“ Freddy nods proudly: ”We’ve come a long way in fifteen years. And I’m sure the next fifteen are in good hands.”