How Verstraete.team continues to innovate
For Verstraete.team, one of the oldest Flemish family businesses in the construction sector, the answer lies in continuous innovation, a strong team culture, and a clear vision of collaboration.
With 205 years of experience and approximately 110 employees, the company combines a long tradition with a modern organization. Today, not one person, but a team of leaders is at the helm of the company.
This choice reflects the philosophy that the company has been pursuing for years: construction is not just a technical activity, but above all a form of collaboration.
A renewed structure for a new generation
To be ready for the future, the management structure was recently renewed.
Francis Verstraete will today take on the role of Chief Vision Officer (CVO) and will focus on strategy, communications, commerce, and contract management. Day-to-day management will be handled by Bart Masschelein and Toon Declercq , who will serve as co-CEOs .
This structure ensures a clear division of labor:
strategic vision on one side and operational effectiveness on the other. At the same time, management remains close to the yards and teams.
The team as the foundation of every construction project
The name Verstraete.team is no coincidence. It reflects the belief that successful construction projects are only achieved through collaboration between all parties involved: employees, clients, architects, engineering firms, and partners on site.
The organization is therefore built on clear values: respect, a passion for construction, co-creation with partners, teamwork, and a commitment to quality.
Within the company, one important principle prevails: no one is above the team.
Two CEOs, one vision
Bart Masschelein and Toon Declercq know the company inside and out. Together, they have nearly three decades of experience within the Verstraete.team.
Their responsibilities are complementary:
Bart focuses primarily on new construction projects, while Toon focuses on renovation, restoration and the company's own carpentry activities.
Working with two CEOs fosters continuous dialogue within management. Decisions are made collaboratively, allowing projects to be viewed from multiple perspectives. This leads to better solutions for customers and partners.
The holy triangle of construction
Every construction project revolves around the right balance between three factors: quality, price and timeframe.
Verstraete.team calls this the holy triangle of construction. The challenge is to consistently find the optimal balance between these three elements, ensuring that every project is technically sound, financially viable, and efficiently executed.
Thorough preparation plays a crucial role in this. The calculation department is therefore one of the most important pillars of the company.
The sixth generation takes over
The future of Verstraete.team is now also being shaped by the sixth generation of the family.
Elisabeth Verstraete is strengthening the calculation department, where projects are prepared technically and financially. Sebastiaan Verstraete is working on further expanding activities in Brussels and Antwerp.
An example of this is the Merode project in Ixelles, where Verstraete.team is working on a complex inner-city project involving renovation, restoration, new construction and underground constructions.
Building the future together
The construction sector is evolving rapidly. Digitalization, stricter regulations, and increasingly complex projects demand new ways of working.
That is why Verstraete.team positions itself not only as a contractor, but as a construction partner that actively thinks along with clients and design teams.
The company's philosophy can be summed up in one simple sentence: building is helping each other.
With a strong combination of experience, craftsmanship, and innovation, Verstraete.team continues to build sustainable projects – today and in the future.
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