Belgian co-captains

At the helm of both international associations in the home improvement sector – the EDRA/GHIN trade association and the HIMA manufacturers’ association – things are set to take a distinctly Belgian turn: the new chairpersons hail from Belgium. Caroline van der Voort is managing partner of the Belgian plumbing supplier Calodar, whilst Erwin Van Osta is the co-owner of the Belgian DIY chain Hubo.

Isn’t it rather one-sided, and therefore detrimental, that the two figures representing the entire sector internationally share the same nationality? Anyone who speaks to them comes to the conclusion that it is actually an advantage. For they know each other, they respect each other, and – perhaps most importantly – they trust each other.

This becomes clear when they discuss the potentially most contentious issue of their new roles: the relationship between retailers and manufacturers under current market conditions, which both describe as “under pressure”. Both emphasise how important transparency is on both sides in this situation.

"We need more transparency, better data exchange and a stronger focus on the end consumer," says Van Osta. Collaboration in the areas of sustainability and innovation is becoming increasingly important. "If we move from transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, the entire industry will benefit," he summarises.

His fellow president on the manufacturers’ side picks up on this point. "We must be open with one another," she emphasises, and by "we" she means not just the two sides – retailers and suppliers – but the entire organisations involved. The top management teams always get on well, but: "We hope that partnerships are discussed openly not just at C-level, but across the organisations as a whole."

The two chairpersons are in agreement on the goals for the industry as a whole. They also express their motivation for standing for this role in similar terms. For Caroline van der Voort, it is a commitment to the sector, particularly as a co-owner of a medium-sized family business; Erwin Van Osta wants to give something back to the sector and help drive it forward. And both emphasise: their focus is on the people in the sector.

But naturally, both bring their own perspectives to the table. The HIMA president focuses on medium-sized businesses and their strengthening, particularly in light of EU regulations. She aims to advance standardised data exchange and calls for transparent cooperation with the retail sector.

The EDRA/GHIN president picks up on this point when asked about the priorities of his term: "Alignment across the value chain is essential for long-term success." The second item on his list of priorities is the exchange of knowledge on the key themes of transformation, namely digitalisation, sustainability and new customer expectations. And finally, he cites as his third priority the strengthening of EDRA/GHIN as a strategic platform for future-oriented topics, citing Scope 3 as an example.

The nationalities of the chairpersons of both associations have shifted to Belgian, from French (and a touch of British) on the retailers’ side – where Kingfisher CEO Thierry Garnier previously held the top position – and from German on the manufacturers’ side – where Reinhard Wolff of Wolfcraft had held the post since 2009. But the new Belgian dual leadership of the international industry as a whole makes it clear that, whilst they are setting their own priorities, they intend to maintain the continuity of the association’s previous policies. “Bringing people together” is one of the tasks both are most looking forward to in their new roles, and both explicitly state that they value the diversity of their respective members as a genuine strength.

Erwin Van Osta is perhaps the clearest: he wants to carry on the legacy of co-founder John Herbert. The objective he sets out for the association’s future could well be one that the EDRA/GHIN initiator had already seen: a Global Home Improvement Association, a genuine merger of the European association EDRA with the international network GHIN. "One association, one goal," is how Van Osta sums up the objective. "Let’s call it One."

Rainer Strnad