Read below the article written by Karel Cambien, journalist at Made in West Flanders.
Ann-Sophie and Geraldine Behaegel take over their father’s family business
ARDOOIE – Nothing is more beautiful than a family business, right, and especially if one generation can pass on the torch to the next without any problems? Father Geert Behaegel (now 71) of the Ardooise SME Eurochair will only agree. Since this week, his two daughters are the new shareholders and operational managers.
Geraldine and Ann-Sophie were handed the keys to the business. With the blessing of the father who started the business 26 years ago. This week is the day.
Eurochair is a typical West Flemish furniture company: sofas, tables chairs, office furniture, and so on. The hospitality and care sectors are particularly welcome. Part of the production is done in-house, another part is purchased, including in Italy. Eurochair has proven to be a stayer as well. Where many companies in the sector moved to other regions or gave up, Geert Behaegel kept his nose in the wind and his head on the wheel. “Typical of our approach is that we listen carefully to what the customer wants, and then fully respond to it,” says daughter Geraldine.
New business plan
The changing of the guard did not come overnight. The two sisters first wrote a business plan, coming to the conclusion that the hospitality and project market is in need of a new generation and a refreshing look. This also involves a name change. “The name Eurochair Projects no longer fits into this story, so we just went through a whole rebranding process,” the two sisters state.
Click here to read the article on the made in site.
