In “On a roll”, we crisscross the country in search of the most inspiring entrepreneurs. What are their growth ambitions and how are we at Grant Thornton helping them achieve these ambitions? Be inspired and get your business rolling too!
Didier Engels heads Engels Ramen en Deuren together with his brothers Christophe and Cedric. When they took over as the third generation, each quickly found their specialisation and pumped new energy into the company. Their youthful enthusiasm ensured rapid growth.
To make that growth sustainable, the brothers realised that they needed a permanent asset who could assist them in word and deed.
Enter Grant Thornton.
Inimitable elegance
Family-owned Engels Ramen en Deuren has been a valued employer in the Lokeren region ever since it was established in 1945. When the third generation took over the company in 2007, brothers Didier, Christophe and Cedric were keen to combine that tradition with the momentum of a start-up.
CEO Didier Engels: ‘We try to make a difference with everything that is not tangible or cannot be copied: aesthetics, good taste and our corporate culture. We strive to be an elegant company, both in our work and in the way we treat each other.’
A flexible constant
After they took over their father's business, it soon became clear that the three brothers were born entrepreneurs. ‘They are constantly looking for new opportunities’, says Valérie Rivière, a partner in Grant Thornton's accounting department. ‘But to check the feasibility of some ideas, the brothers sought a flexible constant. Someone who can give them honest and critical advice.’
In 2017, Valérie became Engels Ramen en Deuren's permanent consultant. ‘The common thread is accountancy. That's how our collaboration started and to this day we support the brothers with this aspect. But gradually more other, specific consultancy questions came up.’
‘For example, we have often helped Engels to optimise processes during restructuring. We have also provided a lot of succession advice - something that is, of course, specific to a family business. In addition, we've assisted the brothers with several acquisition files. In cases like this, we help with the valuation of the acquisition target, do due diligence and provide legal support.’
‘As a full-service provider, we put together a dedicated team with experts from our various departments for each project. At Engels, for example, our Tax & Legal Expert Tim Dausy and Transaction Advisory Partner Steven Pazen have already contributed their mite, as well as Private Client Services colleague Kristof Wuyts. With our multidisciplinary knowledge, we can advise family businesses on any issue they present to us.’
Highs and lows
‘For us it's important to have a trusted advisor who offers transparent and critical advice’, said Didier. ‘As entrepreneurs, we sometimes do what feels right without always having all the risks mapped out. Valérie then points them out, but with a willingness to contribute ideas and find solutions.’
‘Engels Ramen en Deuren has already had several CFOs’, Valérie adds, ‘and all these changes naturally affect our cooperation. When Engels Ramen en Deuren sought a new in-house accountant, more intensive accountancy support became essential. As a matter of fact, we were also involved in the recruitment process. That shows the confidence Didier has in us.’
‘Now that Engels has its own stable accounting department again, our focus is more on transaction advice. As a consultant, you journey with your client through the highs and the lows. This flexibility is what makes our role so interesting. It allows us to build lasting relationships of trust with dynamic clients.’
It's all about people
‘For me, entrepreneurship is about people’, says Didier. ‘And the partnership with Grant Thornton comes down to clicking on a personal level, as well. With Valérie, we have an incredible match.’
‘For us, working with Grant Thornton means mentoring us in the quest for self-reliance. Valérie and her colleagues solve our issues with integrity and commitment. And after almost a decade, that bond continues to strengthen and solidify with each new question. More projects are sure to come our way together.’
Getting your business rolling too?
Like Didier, let yourself be guided by expert accountancy advice from Grant Thornton.
