The new brand Jean. has taken over the long-standing supplier De Ryck.

ONE TO WATCH - The Jean. delicatessen in Lokeren has acquired the De Ryck confectionery in Temse, a historical supplier to hospitality professionals and specialty stores in the region.

From construction salesman to candy distributor. Since leaving his marketing position at SVK, a centuries-old building materials producer, to create a gourmet food shop in his hometown in 2017, Jan D'Hollander is now pursuing a new ambition: "To become the benchmark for artisanal confectionery in Belgium and beyond, by allowing customers to enjoy authentic products, personalized service, and the sweet happiness that begins with every bite."

To achieve this, alongside the delicatessen Jean. and its gift basket sales website geschenkmand.be, the entrepreneur is adding a third activity to his portfolio with the acquisition of the family business De Ryck, a confectionery supplier since 1949.

"For three generations, De Ryck has been synonymous with artisanal confectionery and quality, and we are particularly proud to be able to continue this beautiful story," enthused Jan D'Hollander, who was a customer of the said supplier and is now preparing to optimize operations and expand the existing offering with artisanal products.

At Jean.'s grocery store, we like to collaborate with local producers with authentic know-how: from Estrella Brazileira coffee, roasted in Eksaarde for over a century, to Lynn's granola, homemade in the same village with healthy and natural ingredients, to Vreese gingerbread, the pride of Lokeren since 1870.

Jan D'Hollander will thus lead its expansion by developing this new company, Confiserie Jean. He is taking over more than just the historical catalog and clientele, since the De Ryck company also operates around thirty candy vending machines in businesses and other institutions.