What does it take to keep a family business in the family?

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Passing on a family business is about much more than handing over the reins. At Warsco Units, that transition is already taking shape. From its sites in Genk, where the focus is on sales and rental, and Zutendaal, where its modular units are produced, the family business is gradually welcoming a new generation. Vincent and Lauren Warson are finding their place alongside their father, Marc, and helping write the next chapter of the Warsco story.

And BDO has been part of that story for some time. Since 2010, the family has relied on Kris Verhees as a trusted advisor through some of its biggest milestones.
 

From one generation to the next

Warsco Units' story began in the early 1970s, when Marc's father, Willy Warson, founded the company. He initially imported units from Germany before setting up local production in Zutendaal, Limburg. His sons Marc and Steven joined the business during the 1990s, and in 2010, Marc took over the company from his father and bought out his brother Steven. 

Today, the third generation is taking its place at the table, with Marc's children Vincent and Lauren becoming increasingly involved in the family business. “After first gaining expertise and experience outside the company, I was really motivated to join Warsco,” Vincent says. 

As Operational Director, Vincent oversees the day-to-day operations across production, sales and logistics, with a particular focus on collaboration between these different areas and ensuring that their processes work seamlessly together. 

At the same time, Marc is reshaping his own role. For around three years now, alongside his position as CEO of the Warsco Units Group, he has also chaired an employers' organisation. An experience that has changed the way he approaches his role at Warsco too: “It teaches you to let go of your own business to a certain extent and give the next generation every opportunity to step up.”

From raw steel to finished unit, all under one roof

Warsco buys flat steel, punches it, bends it and keeps it in stock. Roofs, chassis and floors are produced separately. The walls then come together on a production line, where each unit is assembled and fitted with electricity and plumbing. Step by step, raw materials become a finished product. 

And the company's involvement doesn't stop once production is complete. Warsco sells and rents the units, arranges transport and provides after-sales support whenever necessary. For Vincent, this end-to-end approach is one of Warsco's key strengths: “The entire chain is our strength. We manage everything ourselves, from A to Z.” Keeping everything in-house enables Warsco to align its processes and respond quickly when needed. 

The 2010 transfer

When Marc took over the company in 2010, he also bought out his brother Steven. Throughout that process, BDO's support went well beyond the financial side of the transaction. “We were fortunate that BDO looked beyond the numbers in their guidance. We were also very well supported from a psychological perspective,” Marc recalls. 

Marc and BDO have worked closely together ever since, with tax support and advice forming the foundation of that relationship. One of the first major steps was the acquisition of a company in Wallonia. Warsco later transformed its entire production process, enabling the company to apply for a patent. BDO also supported this strategic transformation and the preparations for the third generation's entry into the family business. In 2026, another acquisition followed in Germany. 

Keeping the business in the family

With the third generation gradually becoming more involved at Warsco Units, guidance on tax matters and family succession remains essential, particularly as legislation continues to evolve and uncertainty remains. 

For Marc, the ambition is clear: “We want to pass the company on within the family without putting the business itself at risk. We want Warsco to keep creating prosperity here in Flanders.” 

The family relies on Kris Verhees, Partner BDO Accountancy, to help them navigate that process. Vincent describes their collaboration as “accessible, professional and very constructive”. Kris is always available to share his expertise, he says, while keeping the perspective of a family business firmly in mind. “He knows us very well and is always there to support us.” 

Kris Verhees

Innovation for a business built to last for generations

Warsco has been around for more than fifty years, and the ambition is to keep going for many more. “Since the very beginning, we've always tried to stay ahead when it comes to innovation. That's exactly what we need to keep doing,” Vincent says. 

The first goal is to reach the century mark as a financially healthy business. And after that? Vincent hopes Warsco will keep going for another two, or even three centuries. 

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