One first worked as an employee for years before buying into the company. The other built a career at Voka – KvK Limburg before making the switch to the entrepreneurial side herself. Each brings their own background and experience. Each shares the drive to keep the family business growing. Axelle and Max Henrard, the second generation at A+ Automation.
About thirty years ago, Nico Henrard founded his company Ariadne, which he sold in 2013 with the intention of taking things easier. But the entrepreneurial spirit is hard to suppress. In 2016, he started A+ Automation, a company specializing in industrial automation projects with a focus on electrical automation. Son Max Henrard was involved from the very beginning – first as an employee, later as a co-shareholder. Daughter Axelle joined the team eighteen months ago, making A+ a true family business.
Axelle: ‘When I was eighteen and had to choose what to study, I did have the idea of joining my dad’s company later on. He advised me: “If you really want that, go study industrial engineering so you have the necessary technical background.” After three weeks, I switched to something else; it really wasn’t for me (laughs). After my studies, I ended up at Voka, built my career there, and was no longer thinking about ever joining A+. I only helped with the bookkeeping on weekends.’
‘During the COVID period, we started talking about it again, and I began to feel more like taking the leap after all. At Voka, I was responsible for family businesses and owner-entrepreneurs, so I was immersed in 그 world the whole time. That’s where I felt it: I want to be an entrepreneur myself. And so it happened. I’ve now been working alongside Max and Dad for a year and a half.’
Max: ‘I’ve been active in the company since the start of A+. It was a case of “started from the bottom,” where I helped pull and connect cables. It’s the ideal way to get to know your company and the sector. I’ve been a co-shareholder for several years now, and I’m responsible for project and site management. The people I manage do the work I did myself for years. That strengthens my position and ensures I can better estimate the work of my employees.’
Axelle: ‘I handle all the non-technical aspects: general follow-up, HR matters, planning, purchasing, administration, and finance. Those are the things I bring to the company. I also took an electricity course to gain more affinity with the sector, although the deep technical knowledge still lies more with Max and Dad.’
Max: ‘But that’s how we complement each other well and don’t step on each other’s toes. Axelle might not be able to do what I do, but I absolutely can’t do what she does every day. That is perhaps where our strength lies.’
Axelle: ‘You understand each other quickly, you know who the other person is and what you can expect from them. But of course, it’s not always easy. We wear two hats. Max is my brother, but also my business partner. You have to be able to make that mental switch and keep the two separate where necessary. That’s inherent to a family business. I think we’re succeeding quite well at that.’
Max: ‘We also have two sisters who aren’t in the company. For them, it’s not much fun if it’s always about A+ when we’re together. When we’re at the table on the weekend, we can easily flip that switch to our lives outside of work. We have plenty of other things to talk about (laughs).’
Axelle: ‘I now have a son of my own and am pregnant with my second, so there’s plenty of life outside of work. Although it’s not always simple to find the right balance between being there for him and my job. I was and still am very ambitious; I want to work full-time and do my job very well. But I also want to be a good mom. During the week, I can rely on daycare, my social circle, and my husband, who is often more flexible than I am. He’s a DJ and is often working on weekends. Then I try to be fully present as a full-time mom.’
Max: ‘Fortunately, I don’t know the challenge of combining my job with children yet. I am going to be the godfather of Axelle’s next child, though, so I’ve already started saving up (laughs).’
‘Something I did struggle with was the transition from a regular employee to a co-shareholder. I continued working with the same people, but now I officially became their supervisor. That was a period of adjustment, not just for them but for me too. “What am I now and what are my tasks?” By continuing to prove yourself, you get there. I didn’t want the feeling to exist that everything was just handed to me. As the “son of,” you sometimes have to prove yourself even harder.’
‘We are a very flat organization. We stand there as a team, know the people who work for us well, and have a relaxed approach. Does something go wrong? Then it’s not about getting angry, but about looking together at how we can solve it. I find it important that everyone in our team feels they can say anything.’
Axelle: ‘Dad is obviously still in the company and is very important as a sounding board. He gives us the necessary freedom and doesn’t cling stubbornly to his way of working. He founded the company in his own way, has things he wants to hold on to – which he also explains
– and at the same time is open to things we want to introduce.’
‘We try to do business our own way and chart our own course. The goal is to maintain what we were already doing well, improve where necessary, and grow gradually. I like the fact that we can put the “Henrard” stamp on every project we carry out. In that way, we can continue what Dad built. We’ve experienced firsthand that it’s hard work, but it’s also a beautiful story that contributes to the family. Dad put his heart and soul into his company for us. We won’t let that go to waste. I think he appreciates that too (laughs).’
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