Jérouville

A family business on the right track

Founded in 1973 by Joseph and Paul Jérouville, this family business has transitioned from agricultural work to becoming entrepreneurs. Initially providing subcontracting services for the SNCB, handling tasks such as unloading freight cars and maintaining railway lines. The company grew steadily but faced significant challenges during the economic crisis of the early ‘80s, which forced a reduction in staff from 190 to just 37 employees.
 

A leadership journey

Natacha Jérouville, the current General Director, began her journey in the company alongside her father in 1993. While she lacks a technical background, she emphasises the importance of well-defined roles. Natacha learned the ropes of management through hands-on experience and has successfully navigated the company through challenging times, focusing on their core activities and building strong relationships with clients like Infrabel. 

Sustainable initiatives

Jérouville is proactive in integrating sustainable practices into its operations. The company is working to reduce carbon emissions, invest in hybrid and electrical vehicles, and install solar panels. Natacha recognises that there can be financial challenges that come with adopting sustainable practices: “If the sustainable alternative costs twice as much, the question is whether the investment will pay off. In a volatile market like ours, we have to be careful. If the public authorities offer incentives - such as subsidies - we can often take action more quickly.” 

The future of Jérouville

Looking ahead, Natacha sees two major challenges: securing enough work in a volatile market and retaining skilled employees. With a diverse workforce, Jérouville has maintained a low turnover rate, with many employees staying for years. Natacha is committed to ensuring her team feels comfortable and equipped for their roles, emphasising the importance of effective teamwork and collaboration. 

Looking to improve employee retention?

Contact our BDO expert to receive personalised advice.

This article is part of our 10-part series on sustainable entrepreneurship within family businesses. In our book ‘Huis van vertrouwen / Trésors de famille’, 10 inspiring family businesses share their story and look on the future. 

You can find the book in all bookstores or on the Pelckmans website: 

To realise the further growth of Jérouville, BDO's experts assist the company with our multidisciplinary expertise.