Global real estate, trade and investment company

Tribus is a privately held firm that actively invests in new business creation, real estate, trade related and other business opportunities. We seek real estate, businesses or products with high potential that can benefit from our financial support, management and expertise.

US — New Baltimore and
Grosse Pointe, MI; Danville, KY
Puebla, Mexico
Nassau, Bahamas

Meet the partners

A combined over 150 years of experience in global trade, new business creation, production operations, real estate development, trade activities and investing expertise.

Gerrit Vreeken
Partner emeritus
Percy Vreeken
Partner
Ilja Vreeken
Partner
Steven Vreeken
Partner

Our History

1981

The humble origins began in 1981 when Gerrit Vreeken purchased the name and rights of TransNav, a subsidiary of Montreal based FedNav.

1983

Gerrit Vreeken with the assistance of his two eldest sons, Percy and Ilja began the family trading operations in St Clair Shores, Michigan. In time, trading focused on design and build of sophisticated tooling through partnerships with toolmakers primarily in Europe and Asia.

1992

Steven joined the team when the company had grown to include injection molding and assembly services through the establishment of TransNav Technologies, Inc.

1996

TransNav Mexico was formed to support the growing tool and production needs in Puebla, Mexico.

2014

Growth continued through the addition of various partnerships around the world. Trans-Cart, LLC was formed in 2014 to produce shopping carts and hand baskets for the retail industry.

2012

TransNav acquired a plastics operation in Danville, Kentucky and formed TransNav Kentucky to meet the growing demand further South.

2015

TransRompa was created to offer, tool building, molding and assembly services in the Czech Republic and China.

2018

Thereafter, followed multiple plant expansions and at the time of the successful sale to Plastivaloire of France, in 2018,  TransNav was over 550,000 sq.ft. under roof and 65 acres of land divided into 5 buildings on 8 sites, located in Michigan, Kentucky and Puebla Mexico. All are crane buildings with necessary power and infrastructure to run large scale injection molding operations.

2019

After the successful conclusion of the sale, the Family continues to engage in business activities that take advantage of the skill sets garnered in the +35 years in working together. The combined knowledge in operations, project management, real estate oversite, acquisitions, and trade offers a unique and battle-hardened team to manage and pursue varied opportunities.

2020

The group is currently managing all the real estate purchased, by TransNav since 2007, now leased to Plastivaloire.  Tribus also has properties that include the Grosse Pointe office and several rental real estate properties in Nassau, Bahamas.

Recent Activity

Joint acquisition of 211 W. Fort, Detroit Michigan 48226 — a 28 story Commercial Building with over 560,000 sq. ft. of leasable space.

Acquired in January 2022, this 2 story 5000 sq ft office is located on 112 Kercheval Blvd. No expense was spared on this  jewel in the prestigious “Hill” area of  Grosse Pointe Farms. In pristine condition and ready for lease, the ground level 2250 sq ft comes tastefully decorated and fully furnished. The 2500 sq ft Upper level is a modern and open floor plan with custom lighting and cabinetry throughout. Both come with separate entrances, bathrooms, kitchenette areas, elevator and a heated 2 car garage. Looking for qualified, long-term tenants please inquire below.  

Tribus is actively engaged and vetting suitable investments in commercial real estate, trade related and other business opportunities.