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USA"For me, the first few weeks with our part-time CFO were like a breath of fresh air. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders."
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Laurence Carels, Managing Director
Spotlight: CDM Stravitec
Managing Director: Laurence Carels
The problem
CDM Stravitec designs solutions for vibration and noise problems in buildings and industrial applications. The head office is located in Overijse (Belgium), but the company also has an international presence in a dozen countries. In July 2020, Laurence Carels took over the CEO torch from her father Patrick. Having previously been the company’s finance director, she was now looking for reinforcement in this area. And she also wanted to bring in external experience, so that the company could further professionalise and achieve further expansion and internationalisation.
The solution
Laurence came into contact with regional director Dirk Verbruggen via LinkedIn. A second meeting with Dirk and candidate CFO Wim Van der Smissen soon followed. A part-time CFO seemed to be the right solution for the company’s needs. And Wim turned out to be the perfect candidate to fulfil that role.
Wim started working four days a month as a part-time CFO. His most important tasks:
• operationalise a new transfer pricing system;
• support the year-end closing and the first quarter closing;
• set up computer systems;
• manage the administrative follow-up of the new subsidiaries.
Numbers matter. But not just profit and balance sheet numbers. We asked Laurence what is the number that really matters to her?
CDM Stravitec has experienced ups as well as downs in recent years. In 2014, the company decided to focus entirely on the construction market and this was when the largest division (transportation) was sold. In 2019, the company achieved a turnover of 13 million euros; in 2020, turnover increased to 16 million euros. The ambition? Turnover of more than 20 million euros. Although Laurence dreams of reaching the 30 million mark in a few years’ time. Then CDM Stravitec will have hit a new record for the consolidated company.
A 'thank you' to my CFO.
"The first few weeks with our part-time CFO were a breath of fresh air for myself. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Wim's international experience in our sector immediately gave the entire management a lot of peace of mind. He was operational from day 2 and very quickly part of the team. I am immensely grateful to him for all he has accomplished in a short period of time." Laurence Carels
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