At the head of the logistics company H. Essers for 11 years, Gert Bervoets belongs to a generation “for whom working is self-evident”. Taking on the role of external CEO in a family business is not easy. “We must maintain all the balances. It’s like walking a tightrope and Gert has mastered this art,” says a relative.
After studying sales engineering at HUBrussel, Gert Bervoets (now 54 years old) gained his first professional experience as a product manager at Nestlé. It was in 2002 that he found the job of his life with the Limburg logistician H. Essers. “I joined this team as manager of a new branch in Wilrijk,” he explains. Our client was Agfa-Gevaert. A new distribution center has been built. Today, it is our second distribution point in Belgium, after our activities in Limburg.” Gert Bervoets was given more and more responsibilities at logistics sites, both in Belgium and abroad, and became CEO in 2013.
After more than a decade under his leadership, H. Essers is much more than just a transporter. The company focuses on two activities. Logistics for the chemical sector represents more than 60% of turnover, while the healthcare sector represents almost 30%. “H. Essers remains a family business, underlines the manager awarded by our Dutch-speaking colleagues at Trends. We are constantly looking for opportunities. Over the past 10 years, we have made choices. We learned to say no to certain things. Above all, we wanted to do what we knew how to do.”
Above all, we wanted to do what we knew how to do.” – Gert Bervoets
“Pleasant and complete”
Those who have already worked with him professionally recognize his great qualities. Like Johnny Thijs, who was notably an independent director of H.Essers: “Gert is a much better CEO than I ever was. It is complete: financially strong, strategically and operationally intelligent. The strategic reflex around regions and sectors is to his credit.”
-“Those who do not change or change too slowly cannot survive,” emphasizes Gert Bervoets. Every day without a decision is a bad day. If we slow down at the top, the whole organization slows down. It’s better to make a bad decision every once in a while than no decision at all.”
A trade unionist, who prefers to remain anonymous, confides that working relations at H. Essers are “rather good”. “In the 18 years that I have worked here, there has never been a strike, except during national actions. The executive committee is easily accessible. Those who want to work, who have ambition and who do their best can really flourish at H. Essers.”
Stijn Bijnens, CEO of the neighboring company Cegeka, praises the “charismatic leadership” of Gert Bervoets. “He is a friendly CEO. His closest colleagues enjoy working for him.” It also highlights the close relationship between the family shareholder and non-family management. “The position of an external CEO in a family business is quite complex. Gert is perfect in this role.”
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