Exclusive interview - Emmanuel Bekaert's vision of the future

HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK ON YOUR CAREER, WOULD YOU DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY? ARE THERE THINGS YOU REGRET?

Emmanuel: "I have been self-employed since 2008 and have learnt everything systematically. I stole a lot with my eyes and ears. Above all, I listened to people with experience and kept making adjustments. From the moment I hear an opportunity, the entrepreneur in me wakes up. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't do it differently.

Bekaert Technics was a big leap for me at the time. I pumped all my savings into it and it was make or break. It was risky, but I took the plunge. Beforehand, I carried out a thorough market study. At that time, there were practically no outsourcing companies; there were two big players, but a third could definitely be added. This gave me the security I needed to dare to jump in. After a few years, I sold the company. Do I regret that? Yes, but on the other hand I don't. The sale put me in a great group and I learnt a lot from that. I took that knowledge and experience with me into Maxicon. That has helped bring us where we are today, Maxicon is growing and thriving."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGIC ADJUSTMENT?

Emmanuel: "That was the decision 1.5 years ago to include Trui in the management team. She started as the leader of the servants' division Xellent. I saw Maxicon growing so I could no longer manage it alone in terms of sales. I am someone who likes to undertake and needs space to do so. This freed up space to focus on new entities. Hence, I made the decision to put someone next to Sophie and myself. Today, like Sophie, Trui is my right-hand man. With her experience, I was confident that she could manage both sales and recruiting. This gave me the freedom to outsource that daily follow-up. That was the biggest, most important decision in those six years and I am still very glad I did. You always have to surround yourself with the right people and make yourself miserable. I recently travelled for a week, you shouldn't have asked me that before. I was never absent for more than a few days. Now I know the business is in good hands and things will keep running. Although I still can't stop myself from calling daily (laughs). "

WHAT FACTORS HAVE CAUSED MAXICON TO EXPERIENCE A HUGE GROWTH SPURT IN RECENT YEARS?

Emmanuel: "In recent years, we have been digitising in full force and getting ready for growth. The more digitisation, the less repetitive work (such as scanning, filing) is needed. Time freed up to concentrate on core tasks. Our digitisation process started with work orders. These used to be filled in by our employees on paper and brought into the office every week. Today, this can easily be forwarded online. A lot of processes are currently in the pipeline. Among other things, we are working on an automation platform for forms, a new website, the switch to a new social secretariat to link with our ERP package. We want to make it as easy as possible for our people."

IS THERE STILL ROOM WITHIN MAXICON FOR DREAMS AND RISKS?

Emmanuel: "Definitely. Just a few weeks ago, one such dream came true - a new entity. Technologix, technologists focusing on future-oriented technology such as charging stations, solar energy, fibre optic network, etc. that had been bubbling in my head for about eight months. Of course, I don't just jump into something new. A market study preceded it to determine our added value and strategy. There is definitely still room within Maxicon. I catch things and if I believe in them, I try to implement that into Maxicon's DNA."

WITH TECHNOLOGIX IN ITS START-UP PHASE, HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE ECONOMICALLY, TECHNOLOGICALLY?

Emmanuel: "I have already lived through two economic crises, we are now in the third. I started Bekaert Technics during the financial crisis in 2008. I rubbed my hair for a while then, but fortunately we were not affected because we were a small company with only a few employees at the time. With Maxicon, we weathered corona, fortunately well, and now the war in Ukraine. Currently we are not feeling it yet, but I am sure the end is not yet in sight. This is a chain reaction, now there is already a material shortage and it will continue for a while. Maybe our technicians will not be called upon for a while because there is no material on hand, but hopefully that is temporary. We are flexible and are now focusing more on the food industry, that sector will always run. This was also true during the first coronal shockdown. This way, our people can stay on the job and we can guard against the crisis that might come. In my opinion, it will not be worse than the corona crisis. Back then, we depended on the human factor and many companies were forced to close their doors. Now there is still the opportunity to look for alternative suppliers for raw materials.

In terms of the future for technology, we are in the right sector. Even robots need to be programmed and maintained; they cannot do this by themselves. A robot is just a machine and can break down, which is exactly our speciality. The more automation, the better. We will make sure the machines are running and maintained. More and more technicians will be needed in proportion to fewer people in production. Both at Technix, Xellent and Retail & Logistix, I see the future looking bright. A robot replenishing shop shelves, that seems difficult. One day, though, this will probably be possible if you look at the achievements in the United States. Fully automated shops already exist there. A badge registers what you take from the shelves and also immediately charges your entire shopping trolley without manually scanning. But I maintain, the human factor will definitely be needed for a while yet."

"Dare to take risks, don't keep dreaming and make your dream a reality. Surround yourself with the right people and don't let your ego get in the way making you want to do everything alone."
- Emmanuel Bekaert, ceo

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A SMART ENTREPRENEUR, WHY/WHY NOT?

Emmanuel: "I dare say I am, otherwise I wouldn't have several companies to my name today. A true entrepreneur wants to stay in business. I see myself as a business angel: if I believe in an idea, I will provide support by investing. For a company in windows and doors, you are at the wrong address with me, what is the added value here among all these other players? To convince me, you need an innovative concept with market value. Being seen as qualitative is very important to me. I also see that in all the companies I have founded, quality and service are paramount. We won't recruit a baker or a butcher who can hold a key. We need people who can spanner effectively and excel in their trade, which is how we differentiate ourselves as Maxicon. That vision is ingrained in the DNA and I see it reflected in both sales and HR managers. The people we send out are our calling card with the companies, we still notice the importance of word-of-mouth advertising. Our customers are our most important reference."

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT TRAITS FOR AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Emmanuel: "As an entrepreneur, don't be straightforward, also look away from your goal and consider other options. In a small company with 10 people, this can still work, but at today's Maxicon is already considered a big company that brings with it a certain responsibility. Making sure everyone has work and can support his/her family at the end of the month. But also towards the customer, it is our responsibility to put the right man in the right place. We make sure the machine is running and breakdowns are solved in no time.

I used to be very stubborn, my will was law and I always had my horse's glasses on. Over the years, I have changed in this, I am more willing to listen to others. If I am still convinced of my idea afterwards, I will follow my instinct, otherwise not. Nobody can know everything, which is why I surround myself with people with knowledge and experience in their profession. Both on the shop floor and on the board of directors. That's where I find my ventilation and where we learn from each other, that's how you can enrich yourself as an entrepreneur. "

WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS?

Emmanuel: "Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. A few years ago, for example, we chose CNG vehicles as one of the few. Today, we are mainly focusing on the electrification of our vehicles and we are able to commission additional solar panels and charging stations. There are already major players that draw up a charter with conditions within sustainable business (e.g. EPB value, waste processing). We are not a manufacturing company so for us this is a bit more difficult, but we are doing what we can to be as sustainable as possible as a company."

AS A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR, DO YOU PLAY THE STOCK MARKET? IS THIS A MUST AS AN ENTREPRENEUR TO HAVE A FEEL FOR THE ECONOMY?

Emmanuel: "I learnt to play the stock market during the first lockdown, so not so long ago. I had oceans of time and was looking for something new, which is how I ended up with the stock market. Of course, with calculated risks. (laughs) In the Corona crisis, a lot of shares plummeted, which was the ideal moment to enter the market. That's where my nose for business came in handy again. I still start my day by watching the share price at 9 a.m., an exciting moment every day. I regret not having started earlier. Meanwhile, I have also recommended this to several friends and we have set up a whatsapp group to speculate in abundance. Some are making elaborate financial studies, that's how we learn from each other. I certainly wish it to every entrepreneur, obviously with a savings pot you have in surplus."

"Maxicon as an ink blot on the Belgian map, that's my dream"
- Emmanuel Bekaert, ceo

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE TIP FOR THE ROAD TO SUCCESS?

Emmanuel: "I have several. Dare to take risks, don't keep dreaming and make your dream a reality. Surround yourself with the right people and don't let your ego get in the way making you want to do everything alone. Especially numerically, you need to be strong as an entrepreneur. You can't just take off without defining your pricing strategy. Start calculated and do your homework from day one. There are no stupid questions and follow up on good advice."

HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE LONG-TERM SUCCESS AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Emmanuel: "Work in stages, don't want everything at once. I could have started immediately with 200 employees, but then I would have had to hire everyone who came in or knew anything about technology. Keep your future vision in mind at every step. For me, this was providing quality and service to our customers, which is how we systematically grew in our operation and approach. You don't peak immediately at start-up without capital either, the bread has to be on the table every month.There also has to be sufficient support from the offices who can manage the people. My vision used to be different, back then we were with a small group and I wanted to get as much out of them as possible. But you have to make sure you don't burn your staff, I have since learnt that. It's better to make a little less profit, but work with happier staff. Everyone should do what they are good at, what they like doing and can specialise in."

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO OTHER YOUNG/START-UP ENTREPRENEURS?

Emmanuel: "Entrepreneurship is in you. Being self-employed does not automatically mean being an entrepreneur. I believe in it and I want to work a lot for it, that should be your starting point. When I started with Bekaert Technics, I still went tinkering myself every Saturday and Sunday from 5am. Customers need to be able to see that you know what you're talking about. Make sure you first gather sufficient knowledge about your product or service. I myself did not start doing business from a young age, only in 2008. I started from scratch and worked by myself to gather my capital. This is how I built up my experience and was able to start a business without a loan from the bank. It sometimes scares me that young people get start-up capital from their parents and can just start something from scratch. I worked hard for it myself without financial support from home. Who knows, I might have started earlier otherwise, but now I can say I don't owe anyone anything. I had the opportunity to hit the wall because it was my own money."

WHAT WILL MAXICON LOOK LIKE IN FIVE YEARS?

Emmanuel: "Maxicon as an ink blot on the Belgian map. Today there is Roeselare, Genk, Landegem, to which I would like to add Antwerp and Wallonia. Within five years a team of 400 people with all divisions together. My dream is to make an acquisition one day, and we won't stand still at the holding company level either. Absolute Jobs will also continue to grow, as will Maxicon. In the short term, we will need someone within AM Group to drive and support growth. Someone to start up and monitor new niches in HR. Our ultimate dream as AM Group: a one hundred million company. Today we are at 60% so I see this realistically within five years, if everything goes well. But for that, we need extra manpower to coordinate. If we can grow with acquisitions, acquisitions, our current team and the right people in the right place I believe in it 100%."