The Crius Group success story: 35 years with many ups and some downs
In this interview, we look back with Managing Director Jurgen Willems on the past years of Crius Group. But we also look ahead to the publishing conference that will take place on November 16 and to the anniversary in 2024.
The origins of Crius Group seem to come straight out of a management book. Jos Willems and Linda Everaerts founded the company together almost 35 years ago. In the beginning a modest attic room company with one important customer, now an established value as an editorial office, typesetter and software supplier with branches in Belgium and the Netherlands. But, how could it be otherwise, this success story was not written without a struggle.
Jurgen, in 2024 you will reach a great milestone with your 35th anniversary. Are you a proud man?
Of course! But I think it's important to remain humble, that might be the key to our success. My brother Jordy (also co-owner) and myself learned from our parents to keep both feet on the ground. This attitude is completely ingrained in our culture and is also reflected in our collaborations.
What exactly do you mean by that?
We have one golden rule: we don't make promises to customers that we can't keep. Internally, we have an informal organization with a flat management structure, one where we really roll up our sleeves ourselves. And of course we take great care of our employees.
Crius Group has grown rapidly in recent years. What are the building blocks of this success?
Wow, I think there are several. Continuously optimizing our processes is one of those, we make that reflex right from the start. It all sounds very exaggerated, but the bottom line is that we want to do everything as smartly and efficiently as possible. Despite all the developments, that has still not changed. We also strive to bind the right people to us. Top people who are not only strong in terms of content, but also contribute value to our culture and the pleasant cooperation with our customers.
It is sometimes said that we are a bit too careful, which I disagree with. I would rather call it 'German solidity'.
Jurgen Willems
Managing Director Crius Group
That all sounds very solid. Do you see a downside to that?
It is sometimes said that we are a bit too careful, which I disagree with. I would rather call it 'German solidity', in a positive sense of course. 😉 We like to be sure before introducing new products and services to our customers.
You only knew successes, so?
Well, we have also tried many things that have absolutely failed. Let me take iPad application development as an example. We tried to capitalize on that trend, but quickly found out that it is difficult to make money with it. Both for the publisher and for ourselves as a company. Fortunately, we took more positive than negative initiatives.
Am I right in saying that you have made tremendous progress?
Absolute. An office in the Netherlands, our own software, an expansion of all kinds of products and services... In the meantime, we do so much that there are often misunderstandings about what we do and don't do.
How do you see the future for Crius Group?
I have a positive and energetic feeling about it. We are full of plans, so next year we will celebrate our anniversary together with our customers. But first we organize our very own publishing conference, Crius Update Live! There I enter into a direct conversation and I am happy to clarify our history and plans for the future. Definitely worth attending.