Luc at work in TVH.

A TVH Group employee known by fellow employees as the "right hand" of group co-founder Paul Thermote is finally hanging up his work boots.

Luc Vandemoortele, 60, started his TVH career in 1971 as an assistant mechanical engineer, repairing agricultural machinery. His specialty was repairing diggers, excavators, cranes, bobcats and bulldozers. As the company increased focus on forklift parts, Vandermoortle started repairing masts, fork carriages, bale clamps, forks, cylinders and frames.

Vandemoortele was described by a TVH spokesperson as "someone Paul Thermote shared technical knowledge with and could always count on".

After 35 years with TVH, he will spend time travelling with his wife, Edith.