Business transfer: From entry-level employee to CEO of Cap Floor at age 27

Is age really a limiting factor when entrepreneurial ambitions come calling? Matthias Pastor proves that it isn’t. Even before reaching adulthood, he joined Cap Floor to strike out on his own. What followed was a steady rise that led him to climb the ranks and become the new face of the company. Discover this success story, supported by our expert Johny Basher from the “Transmission” team at Spuerkeess. Enjoy reading!

Founded in 2004, Cap Floor Lux Sàrl, with its manufacturing facility and offices located in Windhof, specialises in the supply and installation of floor coverings such as carpet, rubber, vinyl, parquet, and sports flooring.

Primarily B2B-oriented, with a clientele mainly composed of architects, project owners, construction companies, property managers, nurseries, and sports facilities—but also involved in property developments for private individuals—the company has built a strong reputation that has endured for more than 20 years.

Among its major projects, Cap Floor includes: the Maison du Savoir in Belval, the European School in Mamer, the Lycée Classique de Mersch, the European Investment Bank… and even some projects abroad.

Matthias Pastor, 31, was born in France and moved to Luxembourg at the age of 16. He then went on to study in Belgium to become a cabinetmaker and joiner.

Once he had completed his training, he began looking for his first job, which led him to return to Luxembourg at the age of 17 to work as a warehouse assistant at the Luxembourg-based company Cap Floor.

After more than 10 years with the company, steadily working his way up, he went from employee to Managing Director at just 27 years old.

After three months, I told myself this wasn’t the job for me.
Matthias Pastor, Managing Director of Cap Floor.

In 2013, after completing my training as a cabinetmaker and joiner, I began looking for a job and had the opportunity to join a company specialising in resilient floor coverings: Cap Floor.

My first role was that of a warehouse assistant, which involved supplying all the construction sites.

It was physically demanding work, and I couldn’t see myself continuing to carry bags of cement up flights of stairs, especially on construction sites that didn’t have lifts. I saw myself going back into joinery instead.

However, over time, I gained the experience needed to progress from installer’s assistant, to installer, then team leader, and later had the opportunity to move into a sales role. I really enjoyed this position, and it allowed me to build up my own customer portfolio.

While I worked at the company, I was fortunate to be well managed. I wasn’t left to fend for myself—on the contrary, I was guided by the former Managing Director, and through strong support, I developed my managerial skills.

As a result, a new opportunity arose within the company in 2022, when the Managing Director wanted to retire and needed to find a successor.

For this opportunity to come my way, I believe the former Managing Director simply trusted me. The idea of passing on the company he had built to a younger leader gave him reassurance. And from the drive I showed on projects— my determination to win and bring them to successful conclusion —I imagine he saw in me greater ambition for his company than if he had chosen to sell it to a large group.

When I was offered the opportunity to take over the company, I knew I was taking a complete turn in my life and that everything was about to change.
Matthias Pastor, Managing Director of Cap Floor.

So of course, my first reaction when I heard about the takeover was fear. I was only 27 and was taking over the company on my own, which meant that everything rested on my shoulders. However, the excitement of becoming an entrepreneur was very much there as well.

First of all, for the transfer to take place, I needed the necessary funds to be able to buy the company, as without financing, it simply wouldn’t have been possible. Having started at the very bottom, I didn’t have the required capital to acquire the business. I therefore had to secure financial support elsewhere. To do so, I needed to clearly explain my project to present it to the banks.

I had never put together a business plan before, and the former Managing Director helped me a great deal with this. He really guided me, and his support was extremely valuable.

Then came a three-year period of joint management, during which the support and development of my managerial skills gradually took place. When we were both in leadership positions—myself focusing on sales and him wearing multiple hats—I could feel a real momentum building. This gradual approach to the handover allowed customers to become accustomed to the upcoming changes without being unsettled.

Of course, this required me to adapt at times, but this transition period above all reassured me in my choices and proved highly beneficial for the transfer.

Finding the right banking partner was not the easiest part of my business takeover journey—quite the opposite. At just 27 years old at the time of the takeover, I needed to find a bank that would trust me and would be willing to grant a loan to such a young managing director. And that was the most challenging step… until I met Johny.

I explained my project, the company and its activities to him, and he immediately understood. He quickly put me at ease, and it was genuinely easy to work with him. He analysed the figures, understood both my needs and my ambitions, and quite simply believed in my project.

Initially, I wouldn’t have thought that Spuerkeess, as a state-owned bank, would support me in my project, and yet it was the one that believed in me and in my ambitions.
Matthias Pastor, Managing Director of Cap Floor.

Business transfer and takeover - How to best prepare yourself

Passing on your business to a third party or within your family is a crucial stage in the life of your company, just as taking over a business marks the start of a new life for a business owner. At Spuerkeess, these two important steps are taken with the advice and support of dedicated experts. Whether you are the assigner or assignee, our experts Johny Basher and Franck Alter, both business transfer advisers at Spuerkeess, reveal the keys to a successful transfer in this article. Happy reading!

Read article

Employee well-being was something I cared deeply about, which is why I maintained a people-focused approach to management. When I took over the company, I was fully aware that there were families behind each employee and that they would, in a way, be relying on me, given that I was taking over the business on my own. Having started at the very bottom myself, I understood exactly what employees wanted—or didn’t want—as well as their challenges and concerns. This approach has worked quite well, as they are all still here today.

Another goal I had from the very start of the discussions was to bring a fresh perspective. Looking back now, it feels obvious that I was the right person to take over the company—without any pretension—because seeing where we are today, it was simply the natural next step, and I am very satisfied with the outcome.

In addition, I wanted to improve the company’s image and communication—an area that was not necessarily a priority before, but one I was keen to develop and put in place.

The next major step is our move to new premises, which was also important to me in order to provide employees with a positive working environment.

“Go to Spuerkeess!” (laughs)

My advice is to go for it—it’s a great project, so don’t be afraid. Personally, I told myself I didn’t want to find myself looking back in 20 years’ time and regretting not having done it. Trust yourself!

Here are three pieces of advice before taking over a business:

Check everything carefully before signing (figures, terms, etc.).
Don’t be misled by salespeople trying to sell you products for your business that you don’t necessarily need.
Be aware that your business will come before many other things. It will be your top priority, so you will need to make compromises or put other plans on hold—and be fully conscious of that.

Last name

First name

Date of birth

Format: DD.MM.YYYY

Email address

Format: email@example.com

Phone number

Format: 123 456

Preferred communication channel

E-Mail
Phone

Message

Personal data collected will be processed in full compliance with data protection legislation. In particular, you have the right to access and rectify this data by sending your request by S-Net, email or letter to the following address. For further information: Data Protection Policy