Building on Heritage, Innovating for the Future
In the world of construction, there's a saying that goes, "Tradition is keeping the flame alive, not cherishing the ashes," as quoted by Gustav Mahler. These words have always served as a guiding principle for Verstraete.team. We are a company with deep roots in the past and a determination to stay at the forefront of the construction industry. And all of this is under the leadership of our CEO, Francis Verstraete, the fifth generation, and our Business Unit Managers Bart Masschelein (Verstraete.bouw), Toon Declercq (Verstraete.hout), Dries Biesemans (Verstraete.immo), and An Van Hemeldonck (Verstraete.zorg).
The history of Verstraete.team is remarkable not only for its long duration but also for the meticulous documentation that accompanies it. Its origins trace back to 1820 when Ignace Verstraete began his journey as a mason. The company steadily grew, with highlights such as Leonard Verstraete starting as a mason's apprentice at the age of fifteen and Leonard's sons deciding to continue the family tradition after World War I.
Our construction company has a rich legacy in building churches, abbeys, monasteries, hospitals, and nursing homes, establishing a strong connection with the healthcare sector that endures to this day.
Over the years, we have expanded our expertise to various other construction projects, including corporate buildings and apartments.
The Verstraete family also extended its reach, with branches in Brussels and Antwerp after World War II. Elias Verstraete led one of these branches, which later became Verstraete & Vanhecke, a company still active in renovation and restoration.
Just keep working
The history of Verstraete.team has not been without its challenges, but the motto "work, keep going, never stop, and be smart and sensible at the same time" has always been guiding. This intelligence led to significant steps forward, such as the move to the current location in 2000 and the launch of Verstraete.hout in response to changing market needs.
In 2017, the company was divided into four business units: construction, wood, real estate, and healthcare. The goal was never to isolate these units but to make them work in harmony. This has resulted in a team of versatile professionals excelling in both new construction and renovation and restoration.
A striking example of this synergy is the groundbreaking renovation project of 'Le Grand Hôtel' in Nieuwpoort, where different competencies within Verstraete.team were brought together to deliver impressive results.
Innovative progress
Another aspect that sets Verstraete.team apart is our dedication to innovation and digital advancement. We strongly believe in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and use this technology to optimize and streamline projects. This enables us to solve issues even before the construction phase begins, resulting in a smoother construction process.
As Verstraete.team moves forward into the future, their goal is clear: not to become the biggest but to be the best at what they do. We continue to invest in digitalization, with plans to add CO2 emission calculations to our BIM models by the end of 2023. This demonstrates our determination to tackle the challenges of the modern construction industry and evolve into a Construction 4.0 company.
In a world where changes and challenges are ever-present, Verstraete.team remains faithful to our heritage as we propel ourselves into the future.
We hope our story inspires all those who believe in the power of tradition, innovation, and a dedicated team working together to achieve greatness.
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