Varnier joined Polyflame International, an importer of cigarette lighters, in 1978 and served as vice president until 1993 when he took over the CEO position from the group founder's son, Richard Peersmann. Under Varnier's leadership, the group evolved to become Europe's leading supplier of gift and promotional products with a significant presence in the Asia Pacific region and the USA. Renamed Polyconcept in 1995, the company became independent from its listed Dutch mother company in 2000 through a first leverage management buy out (LMBO). Polyconcept then became the world's largest promotional products supplier in 2005 through the acquisition of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Leed's in 2005, right after the completion of its secondary LMBO in partnership with leading corporate investment firm, Investcorp, Polyconcept's majority shareholder since then.