60 years of building dreams

On October 12, 1965, Julien Mortier founded ‘MORTI’. His one-man business quickly grew into a reputable construction company that made a name for itself with total projects in industrial construction, residential and apartment construction, and the agricultural sector. Sixty years later, the family roots are still intact, with sons Jo and Koen responsible for day-to-day management and sons Guy and Luc actively involved in the company's operations. The diamond anniversary was celebrated not only with a grand party, but also with the start of the company's own renovation project, giving MORTI's base in Drongen a new look. “The refurbishment of our company building symbolizes the path we want to continue to follow in the future,” says Jo Mortier.

A large car, two strong hands, and a lot of guts: that's all Julien Mortier, the head of the family, needed to put MORTI on the map. His mission: to build a sustainable and fair future that his customers and family could enjoy for a long time to come. And he certainly succeeded. “Today, MORTI employs almost two hundred people – half of them on our construction sites and the other half at our company site in Drongen – and we can count on a large number of loyal subcontractors who work for us every day,” says Jo Mortier. “Yet for me and my brothers, it still feels like one big family. We don't just build with concrete, wood, and steel, but above all with people. At MORTI, no one is just a number. It is a home where everyone feels welcome and safe: colleagues, suppliers, and customers. We can all be proud of that.”

Important core values

Over the past six decades, MORTI has left its mark on the construction landscape in Flanders, Wallonia, and northern France. Because the company not only has a strong team of skilled and motivated professionals, but also its own prefab concrete department, metal department, and aluminum and wood joinery, it can manage projects from start to finish with its proven comprehensive approach. “The ingredients of our recipe for success? Trust, quality, safety for our employees and – last but not least – respect,” summarizes Jo Mortier. “Receiving respect is nice, but above all, giving and having respect for the people who work hard day in, day out is crucial. That is one of the most important things we learned from home. Our employees are the DNA of our company, the foundations on which everything rests. Their dedication, commitment, and craftsmanship are what have made us great for sixty years. Without them, there would be no MORTI.”

Striving for perfection

“Our suppliers and subcontractors also deserve praise, because their trust allows us to build on a solid foundation. Every delivery and every collaboration contributes to our pursuit of perfection: the right details and a durable finish,” continues Jo Mortier. “Our customers, some of whom have been with us for several generations, are the architects of the dreams we are privileged to realize. From the very first design to the last brick, we assist them, together with the architects involved. Thanks to their architectural plans and their trust, we can live up to our motto ‘MORTI BUILDING DREAMS’. The cement that holds it all together is honesty and openness. Promising what we are going to do and actually doing what we promise. Our door is always open for questions or ideas. Anyone who walks in can count on a listening ear, a partner who thinks along with them, and, of course, a good cup of coffee.” 

MORTI celebrated its diamond anniversary with a grand party.

Ready for the future

Sixty years is a respectable age, but MORTI has no intention of resting on its laurels. “Last year, we processed around 15,000 tons of iron and 120,000 m³ of concrete, and this year and next year will certainly be no less. In addition, last year we purchased a new 90-ton assembly crane and invested in a CNC-controlled plasma cutter. The first phase of the electrification of our vehicle fleet is also a fact. So we are already looking ahead and want to continue to grow with respect for the values that have sustained us for six decades. In our own way: family-oriented, honest, and fair. With attention to safety and respect for people and work,” says Jo Mortier. “The renovation of our home base is symbolic in this respect. We are preparing our buildings in Drongen for the future, in particular through a large-scale renovation in four phases. The work is progressing well, as we will be able to start using phase 1 around New Year's. We hope to be completely finished by the end of next year. And then... on to the next sixty years!”