From 1992 to 2015, Marc de Rooy served on the board of directors and was jointly responsible for the direction and development of the family business.
> From the Legal World to Entrepreneurship
> Building Growth Together
> Strategic Decisions That Made a Difference
> The Power of Entrepreneurship in a Family Business
> Letting Go and Making Room for Personal Growth
> What Marc Takes Away from His Time at De Rooy
> A New Chapter
From the Legal World to Entrepreneurship
Interestingly, his career didn’t begin in the metal industry, but in the legal world. After earning his law degree, Marc worked for several years as a lawyer at various organizations, but he felt something was missing, something tangible.
“In the legal world, I missed the direct impact of my work. You give advice, draft documents, and conduct analyses, but the results often remain abstract. I wanted to build things. Make decisions. Be an entrepreneur.”
The family business continued to draw him in, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of conviction.
“At De Rooy, I could do everything: from finance and process improvement to contributing ideas on strategy. You’re involved in everything and see immediately what your efforts yield. That tangibility, that sense of building something together, really appealed to me.”
Building Growth Together
In 1992, he joined the family business. His role as a member of the executive board was wide-ranging and, at times, unexpectedly hands-on.
“For a lawyer, it was an unusual move. From administration and finance to shipping; sometimes I even hopped on a forklift. It was precisely that versatility that made entrepreneurship so interesting.”
During his years at De Rooy, Marc grew alongside the company. What had been a small metalworking business with about twelve employees on Hofstraat in Eindhoven in 1992 evolved in the years that followed into a professional organization offering a broader range of services on a larger scale.
One of the most defining moments was the move in 2007 from Hofstraat in Eindhoven to Collseweg in Nuenen.
“We had outgrown our space on Hofstraat. The new building also meant a hefty mortgage. When the market crashed in 2008, that decision was immediately put to the test. If the economy had slumped even further, we would have faced a serious problem. That really kept me up at night. Fortunately, we were able to lease part of the building and the outdoor area to Kuhn. That ultimately turned out to be a win-win situation.”
It’s precisely in moments like these that entrepreneurship shines through: taking risks, making adjustments, and finding solutions together.
Celebrating milestones was also part of the journey. In 2010, De Rooy was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Nuenen Entrepreneurs’ Association.
“That was a particularly meaningful moment, not just for me personally, but for the entire executive team. It confirmed that our presence in Nuenen was genuinely appreciated. Our dedication and the choices we made were noticed and recognized, even by the local community.”
Strategic decisions that made a difference
In addition to securing facilities, strategically important decisions were also made. One of these was the decision to start milling in 2011, in addition to grinding.
“We were outsourcing more and more milling work. At some point, you have to ask yourself: why don’t we do it ourselves? That turned out to be a game-changer.”
A clear course was also set in the area of quality. The purchase of a large measuring machine made unique measurement reports possible and led to a significant increase in professionalism.
“That gave us a huge boost in quality. It elevated us to a higher level in terms of reliability and reputation.”
The Power of Entrepreneurship in a Family Business
Still, his story isn’t just about more machines or square meters, but also about having, and maintaining, a sense of care for one another.
“When you work in a family business, work and personal life are always intertwined. You’re not just colleagues, you’re also family. That makes it special, but sometimes also complex. That intertwining requires care: in decision-making, in communication, and in our relationships with one another. I look back with pride on the fact that we took those steps together as a team.”
Marc emphasizes the unique aspects of entrepreneurship within a family business:
“The lines of communication are short, and decisions are made quickly. But more importantly, you think in terms of generations, not quarters. You take each other into account, as well as relationships and the future of both the company and the family.”
That sense of connection makes a family business strong, but it also places responsibility on everyone’s shoulders.
“Every role within the company is important. You do it together. That’s the mindset, and you can feel it in the company culture. That sense of commitment makes all the difference, but it also means that choices sometimes carry more weight.”
Letting Go and Making Room for Personal Growth
After more than twenty years, Marc realized he wanted to take a different approach to his entrepreneurship.
“I felt the need for space, space to chart my own course, explore new ideas, and start over.”
The process of stepping back was gradual.
“You talk a lot. You reflect. You look ahead. It’s a collaborative process in which you have to be generous with each other. The most important thing was to maintain good relationships. A business is important, but so is family.”
What Marc Takes Away from His Time at De Rooy
The years he spent at the family business shaped Marc as an entrepreneur.
“You learn to take responsibility, not just for results, but for people, for continuity, and for decisions that have repercussions for years to come. You learn that growth isn’t just about getting bigger, but about getting better.”
A New Chapter
Marc is fully focused on his own entrepreneurial endeavors through Jorhan Consult B.V., a company active in management, mediation, and administration. On his LinkedIn profile, Marc de Rooy | LinkedIn, you can clearly see how diverse his work is: from consulting and strategy to administration and involvement in various projects.
“It doesn’t feel like leaving something behind, but rather like taking something with me into a new phase. Everything I learned at De Rooy, I now use every day in my work. Of course, it’s exciting, but entrepreneurship is also about having the courage to take action when the time is right.”
With respect for the past and energy for the future, Marc is consciously choosing his own path.
“Sometimes you have to step away from something that’s good to make room for something that suits you better. My motivation now is to help projects and businesses grow further, to build connections, and to achieve results, both for the people involved and for the organization. It’s always important to keep the business healthy and the family happy.”