It has now been over 37 years since Paul de Schutter founded Cleaning Masters. Today, more than three decades later, we no longer just talk about Cleaning Masters, but about Multi Masters Group. Since the end of 2004, after the acquisition by Samsic, his son Nicolas has been leading the company. Together, we reflect with him on the most memorable moments, the toughest challenges, and his vision for the future.
37 years
“For me, this is above all the achievement of an entire team. We no longer talk about a single cleaning company, but about a group made up of multiple facility divisions, including Recrewtment. Despite our age, we remain a dynamic and growing company. 37 years may sound old, but to me, it feels far from that. We continue to evolve every day, and that is what keeps us young and future-oriented.”
From father to son
“I am especially proud to be able to carry on his work. Actually, I never explicitly put myself forward as a candidate. It was Samsic who felt I was the logical successor to my father. By now, I have already been active in our company longer than my father ever was – which sometimes surprises me myself. But stopping? That’s not in my vocabulary. I want to continue building this adventure for a long time.”
The beginnings of Cleaning Masters
The story of Cleaning Masters began in a garage. Paul de Schutter left his medical studies and had the opportunity to start a Flemish branch for the Walloon cleaning company ENI. Nicolas remembers it vividly: “Our garage was literally the warehouse. I was just a child, but I already helped load the inspectors’ little Beetles. I literally grew up with the company.”
“Our people are our greatest asset. You have to give them opportunities to grow, change roles, or progress within the company.”
When ENI was sold to a foreign multinational, Paul decided to start his own business. With the support of friends and lots of enthusiasm, Cleaning Masters was born – the seed of what would later become Multi Masters Group.
What makes a true ‘master’ according to Nicolas de Schutter?
According to Nicolas, a master is someone who combines skill and passion: “You can’t be a master at everything, but you can be a master in your own domain. Our cleaning masters, techni masters, green masters… all experts in their fields. What unites us is that we form a cohesive whole. We have to ensure that our people can do their jobs safely and with pride. Those who enjoy their work deliver quality. Craftsmanship is mastery, and that is no different here.”
The main lessons Nicolas de Schutter learnt
From his father, Nicolas learned three guiding principles:
- Caution: “especially with large contracts.”
- Never burn bridges: “always stay professional, even when parting ways.”
- Show respect: “for both clients and employees.”
“In addition, I learned to listen actively. Truly listen, without immediately thinking about your answer. That way, clients and employees feel heard. Trusting your team is also part of it. Every cog is essential to keep the machine running.”
Best and toughest moments
A highlight for Nicolas was obtaining a major Defense contract before joining Samsic. “We were assigned more than half of all the barracks in Belgium. In a short time, we had to onboard hundreds of people. It was a feat, but in hindsight one of our greatest achievements.”
“37 years may sound old, but to me, it feels far from that. We continue to evolve every day, and that is what keeps us young and future-oriented.”
A low point he will never forget was the tragic fatal workplace accident at Techni Masters. “It leaves a deep impression. You don’t wish that on anyone. Even ordinary workplace accidents still affect me. Safety remains one of our key priorities.”
Pride and milestones
Nicolas de Schutter cites the evolution from Cleaning Masters to Multi Masters Group as one of the company’s greatest achievements. “Being able to retain our own name within the Samsic group says a lot about the strength of our brand. Moreover, we are often among the top performers: especially in digitalization and IT, we are ahead of the curve. Sometimes, our initiatives are even adopted in France. I am proud of that.”
Challenges and sector changes
The facilities sector has evolved enormously. Professionalization, better training, safety, and digitalization have transformed the profession. “When I started, window cleaners were still using ladders up to the fourth floor. Today, they work with lifts and better PPE. Robots and cobots now ease the work, but they never replace humans.”
“There are already so many people who could fill a book with their adventures at Multi Masters Group.”
The major challenges of recent years? Inflation, new ways of working, and finding and retaining the right employees. “Our people are our greatest asset. You have to give them opportunities to grow, change roles, or progress within the company. It’s fantastic when clients still see the same familiar faces after many years.”
Looking ahead
The major challenges of recent years? Inflation, new ways of working, and finding and retaining the right employees. “Our people are our greatest asset. You have to give them opportunities to grow, change roles, or progress within the company. It’s fantastic when clients still see the same familiar faces after many years.”
“Next year, we will move into our new headquarters. This will undoubtedly give our entire team a real boost. We attach great importance to having all Masters under one roof again, as it will further strengthen our collaboration. The building was intentionally designed to keep us moving – the cafeteria is on the top floor, with a beautiful view. Moreover, the newest technologies and highly sustainable materials were chosen, so our building is ready for the future.”
Thanks
Finally, Nicolas wants to emphasize one thing: “This is not a farewell, far from it. I simply want to thank everyone – employees, clients, suppliers, and partners – who have contributed to this story. There are already so many people who could fill a book with their adventures at Multi Masters Group. If we continue working like this, we can keep this adventure going together for a long time.”
