Waregem's mayor, TVH's Ann Thermote and King Albert II

Belgium's royal couple, King Albert II and Queen Paola this week visited the home town of materials handling manufacturer TVH - Group Thermote & Vanhalst.

During the royal visit to Waregem, the king visited the TVH plant, accompanied by the mayor and two aldermen.

The visit included introductions to the firm's founding families and the rest of the management team. He was told "the human story behind the business", according to a spokesman, with an explanation of TVH's adapatability in tough times and its human resources innovations.

The king visited the sales offices and the automated parts warehouse, where he was impressed by the ingenious operation of the well-oiled network of conveyor belts, sorting machines and order picking.

TVH - Group Thermote & Vanhalst is a worldwide supplier with customers in more than 162 countries.