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It's not about the trade, but about the way of conducting it.

Hermans & Hermans recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and in 2020 became the fifth fastest-growing SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) in the Netherlands South. Nino and Pierre continue the family tradition that has lasted for over a century. In an interview with InZaken, Pierre Hermans, his son Nino, and daughter Bo discuss characteristics, leadership style, and the relationship between family members in a company that doesn't like complicated matters and where a good handshake means as much as a signed contract.

Hermans & Hermans, specializing in, among other things, the trade of exclusive automobiles, has built up an international network over the years of serious buyers and suppliers for everything the Boxmeer-based company offers. Automotive Auctions bv, a subsidiary of Hermans & Hermans, based in Boxmeer and Dieren, specializes in online sales of exclusive cars and vintage cars in both domestic and international markets.

Family Man

Pierre Hermans started his first business at the age of 21, with Philip van Haeren. A year later, in 1982, the first private limited company (bv) was founded. The duo made Hahebo a success. "It's not about the trade, but about the way of doing business," says the family man, proud to have been doing business with his son and now also his youngest daughter since 2015. And business is going well: the company ranks fifth among the fastest-growing medium-sized companies in Brabant, Zeeland, and Limburg. "In car terms: only four companies are ahead of us in the South of the Netherlands, the rest we see in the rearview mirror," says Nino proudly.

The company won the FD Gazellen Award in both 2019 and 2020, the race of the fastest growers in the Netherlands. "In the automotive industry, we are growing against the tide. We achieved 414 percent revenue growth in the past three years," says Nino, who specialized in online car sales within Automotive Auctions. In 2020, 2353 cars were auctioned online. Approximately half is owned inventory and purchased at Hermans & Hermans' own risk. The other half is contributed by individuals, companies, and car dealers.

Did the father encourage his children to choose entrepreneurship?

Pierre: "I knew I wanted to start my own business when I was twelve. During my high school years, I had all kinds of side jobs and ways to earn extra money. My father was a pig trader, and I went with him to the market in Den Bosch from a young age. It was like a play, but with all kinds of strategies. The sympathy between two 'parties', followed by doing business... wonderful! 'Where most people avoid, that's where the most money can be made,' my father used to say. I still see a challenge in everything. Henriëtte, my wife, also has trade in her blood for generations."

"However, we never pushed our children into this or any other direction. It started early, for example, when we went to the beach for a day and I received a phone call, that was the most normal thing in the world during family outings. The children knew they had to be quiet in the back seat when I received a business call. Bo, the youngest, was still in the car seat. She thought it was wonderful and always asked later during such calls: 'what do you think you'll earn from it, dad?'. Nino was also interested, but he immediately got involved in the practical side alongside the financial part. They grew up with my mobile phone, they learned about trading."

The 'easy bed': do you have it easier than your father did back then? Or harder?

Nino: "There is no easy bed for us. I started with Pierre in 2015, and I immediately got all the freedom and was busy buying exclusive cars from the start. We started as equals, and the business model proves to be more than profitable." Pierre: "It's inevitable that you'll buy something that you'll end up sitting on for too long or not earning anything on at all. That's part of it. We don't have protocols. The previous generations were loners. It's the first time that half a family is doing this. But I give Nino freedom in decisions. If he were to call me to ask whether or not he should do something, then apparently he doubts. So in such cases, he knows my answer, and he knows the most about the values himself."

Are the expectations higher for yourself than if you were working somewhere else?

Bo: "I've worked as an employee, but I also wanted something of my own early on. When Nino asked if I wanted to join the team, I wanted to try it out for a while first. My love for cars made it much easier. I notice that I enjoy working with them the most in this job. And also that mom is active in all aspects within our companies. It can get tough here sometimes, maybe that's necessary occasionally, but it's over after half an hour."

"Every day is one big party under very high pressure"

Nino: "We have six or seven interns alongside our permanent colleagues. Bo and I like to surround ourselves with young people. We want practical thinkers and doers who can show us where things can be improved and who have a fresh perspective. We are open to smarter ideas and innovations. And it doesn't have to be so theoretical. Making money is fun, but the way, with pleasure, is the most important. We move mountains of work, but it's one big party under very high pressure every day. Everyone is equal, and we don't know hierarchy!"

Is there a division of tasks?

Bo, laughing: "What don't I do? I mainly try to relieve Nino. I brought structure to the tent, and that was really necessary when I came. The company has grown so much in five years that on my initiative, together with Nino, I implemented some smart systems that we can't do without now. Everything is interconnected now. I am responsible for managing the staff and getting the weekly auctions online on time.

Nino has the general management within Hermans & Hermans, Automotive Auctions, and Hahebo. He had a preference for automotive and studied at the IVA (International Automotive Management) and later obtained a Master of Science in International Business and Management in England. "I had some opportunities at internship companies, but I was drawn to owning a business from a young age. From the age of six, I was sweeping at Hahebo on Wednesday afternoons, in my own bodywarmer with Hahebo advertising on it. In 2015, I invested all my savings in our new company, and my father invested an equal amount to teach me how to start a business from scratch with the associated liquidity issues. That's how it started. Pierre does the 'old economy': buying complete companies and residual lots, I handle the purchase of cars."

Do you talk about business at home?

Nino: "We try not to talk about it, but it's almost impossible. Mom also comes to the office every day, and she sees something, which she then talks about in the evenings, do you understand? So it's inevitable. And everyone at our place is articulate, so they are lively conversations. But no, indeed, there haven't been any Christmas dinners ruined, haha!"

Does your father give compliments?

Bo: "Certainly, he is proud too. But we ourselves are also complimentary. Every time we meet a deadline, we thank our colleagues. We go to work with pleasure and enjoy seeing each other every day."

Nino: "That's how I experience it too. Maybe not in words, but you don't have to say that to each other every day. Last year we auctioned off 2353 cars, of which I bought a large portion for my own account and risk; Dad won't say 'well done, son' for every car. Conversely, I am the toughest when there are discussions about something that didn't go well. I also have the most insight into the figures and the overall business processes, so that's probably why. And although bystanders might think it's never going to be okay with us, as Bo said, after half an hour, it's over."

What does the father see of himself in his son and daughter?

Nino: "From a young age, we were taught to stand by our agreements, even if the market changes. We have gained new partners by tackling what others suddenly dared not to do because of corona."

Pierre: "Indeed, I find it beautiful to see: Nino and Bo take responsibility for their work. But above all, they stimulate and appreciate our colleagues. And that gets you a long way."

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