Polygone has had a branch in Belgium (Vaux-sur-Sûre) offering the same services, with the exception of the waste management element, since 2016 and currently employs a total of just over 200 individuals, generating a turnover of nigh-on €20 million.
The company got involved in the Fit 4 Innovation initiative, supported by Luxinnovation, with a view to compensating for the poor level of profitability of its Service Provision department. The department had experienced a degree of instability as a result of structural changes over previous years and its profitability was below par as a result, not to mention the lack of any real control over the management process.
The initial diagnosis established by the external consultant generally reflected the one already produced internally but also identified the factors that had caused this situation. “We also took the analysis much further by incorporating other departments within the company, notably including the sales department”, explains Polygone’s new MD Pascal Jacquet.
The structure of the department was consequently reviewed in terms of both monitoring its day-to-day activity and remuneration methods. A system for monitoring the profitability of projects was also introduced and the possibility of purchasing a new integrated IT solution considered.
Real added value
Polygone also benefited from the programme in terms of its relationship with this concept of ‘innovation’. “We have since hired two business developers to help us work on this issue of innovation”, Mr Jacquet explains. “We are focusing our efforts to innovate on our modular building business line, as well as our approach to waste when deconstructing structures”.
This innovative approach will also be reflected in the launch of two projects undertaken in conjunction with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in 2018 “with a view to always maintaining an edge over the competition”.
Whilst it is still too early to gauge the benefits of these internal changes in quantitative terms, Pascal Jacquet has already noticed the qualitative effects that they have had. “This openness to innovation clearly leads our employees to adopt a different approach to the job at hand, and that’s a source of real added value for us”.
Although provisional, the outcome of the Fit 4 Innovation programme is therefore decidedly positive where Pascal Jacquet is concerned, summarising the experience as “challenging, refreshing and stimulating”.
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Luxinnovation contributes to the economic development of Luxembourg by fostering innovation, fuelling international growth and attracting foreign direct investment and is supported by: Ministry of the Economy, Ministry for Higher Education and Research, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg Chamber of Skilled Crafts and FEDIL – The Voice of Luxembourg’s Industry.