Meeting with Christian Mortier, President of Énertion

You have entrepreneurship in your blood. Can you tell us about it?

I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. For me, it’s about taking on a full responsibility, not just economic but also societal. I like to think of a CEO as the guardian of the company as a living entity. You make tough decisions, but always with a long-term vision and in the best interest of the business. A company is alive and needs care over time. You can’t do it halfway. You’re there to protect the business and build for the future.

How have you evolved as the group has grown?

I started by taking over a small industrial piping company. What drives me is building something meaningful, useful and lasting. Over time, I’ve learned to rely on my teams’ skills. Passing knowledge on has become central. Nothing happens alone, and it’s by helping others grow that you ensure the continuity of a project.

How do you see the way people approach work today?

I notice that stability and the ability to plan long-term have declined. Everything is moving faster, and people are losing their reference points. This is a real challenge in our sector, which depends on technical skills and hands-on experience. We need to restore a culture of commitment and effort, value long-term thinking, and bring back societal priorities – and work has to be one of them. It’s like high-level sports: you don’t win medals without effort and sweat. You also need to find joy in doing a job well, even when it comes with constraints. This isn’t nostalgia – it’s essential for people to feel useful and recognized. Environmental challenges remind us of this responsibility. Finding solutions and putting them into practice shows real commitment.

What do you think about trends like purpose-driven companies or B Corps?

I’m open to change, but above all, coherence is key. What matters is alignment between intentions and actions. If a company or person commits to something, it has to be sincere and lasting. Time, attention to detail, human experience – all of that is essential. Otherwise, we risk losing the ability to pass on knowledge and learn from real situations.

And outside of work, what inspires you?

I love tangible things: beautiful objects, old stones, classic mechanics, good food with friends – everything that tells a story. I try to keep the same approach in my personal life as I do in my work: make things last, pass them on, take care of what matters. The care you put into what you do shows, and that’s what I aim to live by every day.