Our history.
Just as one cannot sum up the history and evolution of mankind in two sentences, it would be an impossible task to talk about all the great moments that the SLG has experienced in its 60 years of existence in a few words.
Originally, the idea was to transport people from A to B. Jos Lentz, the grandfather of Jos and Marc Sales, was a great football lover and he made a point driving fans of the local team to football matches. At the time, there were no private groupings of vehicle users, bus lines or travel agencies in Luxembourg. Therefore, Jos Lentz was a true pioneer in his country. As a grain merchant, he was the only one in the region with a “large” car, i.e. a truck. These small “transport services for fans” very quickly turned into organised Sunday excursions. At the time, people who were a little old had never seen the sea, and Jos Lentz wanted to give them this opportunity. The truck loading surface was made more comfortable and when there was no football match on the calendar, the truck would leave for the Belgian coast. The state of the roads and the lack of comfort meant that he could not do the round trip in one day.
So they would go on Saturday, spend a night in Belgium and after a few hours spent by the sea, they would return to Luxembourg. This is how organised trips came into being in Luxembourg.
Some key dates
First Bedford Edelweiss bus
Jos Lentz finally gave in to the wishes of his customers who asked him to buy a “real” bus, a genuine “Bedford”, to be able to travel more comfortably.
Football & factory transfers
To prevent workers from having to endure the journey from their home to their workplace by bicycle, Jos Lentz drives them from Sanem to the factory in Differdange in the winter. This greatly appreciated transport service becomes the first official bus line in the South of Luxembourg (Clemency – Differdange). A year later, the purchase of a second bus paves the way for the first regular connection between Bascharage and Luxembourg City.
“Voyages Henri Sales-Lentz Bascharage” travel agency
Jos Lentz’s daughter, Agnes marries Henri Sales and the company “Voyages Henri Sales-Lentz” is born. In the early 60s, the capital of the company consists of three regular bus lines, four coaches and an office in charge of organisation in Bascharage. This family business quickly becomes the employer of 20 employees.
First travel agency
The first agency opens its doors in Luxembourg City.
Sales-Lentz agencies
The contact with clients improves with the opening of travel agencies in Mersch (1979), Esch-sur-Alzette (1989), at City Concorde (1995), Dudelange (1997) as well as in Luxembourg -Gare (1998) and Ettelbruck (1998). Sales-Lentz is now one of Luxembourg’s largest bus and travel companies.
Marc and Jos – partners
The two sons and current shareholders Marc and Jos Sales take over the family business and run it successfully at the dawn of the new millennium.
New buses
Marc and Jos Sales set the stage for expansion through the partial renewal of the fleet and extending to the north of the country by taking over Frisch Rambrouch coaches and Ross Troine coaches.
Takeover of Travel Pro
As part of its expansion and diversification of services, the company guarantees competitive professional services to all of its customers with its takeover of the business travel expert known as Travel Pro.
Easybycoach becomes flibco
easybycoach.com becomes flibco.com The low-cost airport shuttle service – Sales-Lentz’s famous innovation – emerges under this new name.
Gearing up for the future
The company goes through a stage of significant growth. In 14 years, the group tripled its turnover, the fleet increased from 93 to 320 vehicles, the number of travel agencies rose from 4 to 19 and the number of employees from 120 to 750. It is important to lay the foundation to continue on the path to success.
Change of logo & corporate identity
Change of logo and corporate identity In response to society’s cosmopolitan changes, the company decides to use a slogan in English: “Moving People”. This is not just a cosmetic change. The aim is to create a strong and unique identity with which each employee of the group, held together by a common MISSION, VISION and PRINCIPLES.
First Hybrid bus
Delivery of the first global Volvo hybrid bus.
INDR label
The group is one of the first enterprises to be awarded a corporate social responsibility (CSR) label from the National Institute for Development and Corporate Social Responsibility (INDR). This award represents a further incentive to continue to promote sustainable development through ideas and innovative projects.
Takeover of “Voyages Léonard Belgique”
Takeover of Leonard Voyages, the French-speaking Belgian leader of coach holidays throughout Europe.
Luxembourg Quality and Excellence Prize
Sales-Lentz wins the Luxembourg Quality and Excellence Prize.
Name change We love to travel
Sales-Lentz travel agencies are now called We love to travel.
Name change – Sales-Lentz Group
The company brings together all the entities of the group under one roof under the name: Sales-Lentz Group.
Executive Lane
Another innovation and a first in the market in the Greater Region. With Executive Lane, Sales-Lentz Group launches a whole new dimension in the field of personalised trips with luxury limousines and concierge services provided by Dekra D1 certified drivers, exclusive in Luxembourg.
New depot in Esch/Belval for Sales-Lentz
Opening of the 10th bus depot in Esch/Belval, featuring an area of 2,900 m2.
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