In the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, the Godel joinery company implemented a development project based on the acquisition of new production tools. This strategy has paid off since the company is experiencing no lack of growth and its quality of work has improved.
Successful investments made in France by the Godel joinery company
- 17 April 2020
’The complete modernisation of our machine fleet has enabled us to respond in terms of time, price and quality in important markets such as mass distribution markets and major local players. The ability to respond on schedule is a guarantee of our seriousness and the quality of our services. We have also evolved in terms of IT and software in order to be even more innovative, allowing us to win more business and generate strong revenue growth.
The gamble was a success for Godel. The company has increased its productivity and improved its employees’ working conditions. The complete modernisation of the machine fleet means that it is now possible to be more responsive, to offer more attractive prices and better-quality products to mass distribution markets and major local players.
The introduction of new software is also a source of innovation, using 3D views and a virtual reality headset for product presentation. In three years, turnover has jumped by 40%.
Modernising production equipment
Initially, the company faced a difficult global economic environment. Of course, in the mass retail sector, Godel already supplied custom-made furniture to Carrefour France, allowing stores to expand their merchandising area and enhance their sales areas with more designer furniture. But it became imperative for Godel to strengthen its competitiveness in order to conquer new markets. The challenge therefore consisted in setting aside a budget to invest in equipment.
The purchase of a flat saw, an edge bander and a five-axis digital control, all from the same supplier and connected to each other, now saves time by linking programmes from one machine to another.
Growth that spreads in the region
he company has been able to broaden its range of services, and workers now have fewer manual and repetitive tasks to perform and heavy weights to lift. And finally, the acquisition of Alphacam, SEMA and Hercule Pro software has improved digital control and product presentation.
These investments in new production tools have paid off. Gradually, turnover increased by 13%, then 12% and finally 23% over three years. Two additional employees were taken on and the company began working with new retail chains. This is a success that impacts the economic and social fabric of the region, not only through job creation and increased turnover, but also through the training of apprentices and trainees.
Total investment and European funding
Total investment for the ‘Investment in a fleet of machines in order to win new markets and improve tools and working conditions’ project was EUR 377 595, the European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 75 519 under the ‘Operational Programme for the Centre-Val de Loire Region’ cooperation programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the ‘Business Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship’ priority.