Interview de J.C Collin, PDG de PROTEC Industrie
Jean-Christophe Collin has led with conviction and humanity PROTEC Industrie for almost 30 years. The company specializes in surface treatment and special processes, and its customers include Dassault, Airbus, UTC, Thalès, SAFRAN... However, the CEO has not gone overboard: "it's hard work and merit that count above all", and everyone contributes to the company's success and is rewarded for their efforts. An experience and vision of the company that we wanted to share with you.
Company presentation
How long has PROTEC been in business?
"PROTEC industrie is a company founded in 1991, soon to celebrate 30 years in business. The company has enjoyed linear growth since its inception, which has accelerated considerably over the last five years. We've set ourselves up for battle, modified our commercial offering and our placement. We have created an R&D division and a logistics division. We restructured the company in depth after the 2008 crisis."What is his area of expertise?
"The PROTEC group is a key player in surface treatments and special processes. Our skills cover virtually all our customers' needs in the industrial and high-end finishing sectors. Our diversified customer base is made up mainly of major industrial and aeronautical clients, prestige brands, SMEs, designers and architects: Dassault, Airbus, UTC, Thalès, SAFRAN..."
Your work teams
How many employees does your company have?
"There are 250 employees in total, spread across our 2 production sites: Bezons and Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt (95). From 5 people at the start to 250 today, the company's workforce has grown 50-fold in almost 30 years. The company is organized according to a hierarchical and functional structure, divided into functional, production and technical sectors, to which are added site managers."What professions are represented?
"Bath fitters, Surface treatment operator, Aerospace inspector, Magnetic particle and Penetrant inspection Level 1 and 2, Production operator, Industrial painter, Polisher, Laboratory technician, Chemist, Materials engineer ... These professions represent the company's know-how, profiles with specific, cutting-edge skills that are particularly in demand."
Your recruitment strategy
What you need to know about recruitment related to your industry
"The big difficulty in terms of recruitment lies in the fact that these are niche professions. There are very few training courses offered by the French education system. There is a Bac Pro in surface treatment, but only around 15 students graduate each year. Recruitment means we have to think outside the box. That's why we've set up our own training center, and we work with the Pôle Emploi to recruit and train jobseekers to join our teams. We also recruit more "traditional" profiles: sales managers, engineers, quality technicians, chemists..."What are the most important periods for the company in terms of recruitment?
"September is a big recruitment period for us, especially for engineers coming out of schools... and otherwise, all year round, we recruit staff to manage the company's "natural" turnover. We constantly have 10 vacancies to fill. At the moment, we're recruiting, among others, a magnetic particle inspector and an industrial painter. In addition, every year we recruit young trainee engineers (with Ensil de Limoges) to join the company's R&D division."
Benefits for candidates
What career prospects do candidates have when they join your company?
" When they join the company, candidates - except for engineers and middle managers - take tests in logic, surface calculation and more. They then undergo in-house training to learn the job for which they are being recruited. We also offer operators and technicians the opportunity to take industry diplomas (professional titles) to validate their skills. In-house training modules, operational integration courses, intermediate assessments, integrated training, "customer" validation of our operators... These schemes enable us to meet the requirements of the biggest aeronautical principals, to build up and maintain the skills of our operators, and more broadly to retain our employees."What are the company's growth prospects for the coming years?
"The aim is to continue to grow in the long term and to double the company's business in the medium term with the following targets: 500 people for 50 million in sales within 5 years. This means we'll be recruiting massively over the next few years. An intensive growth strategy, based on taking market share."What is your work ethic?
"Our values are those shared and lived daily by all our employees. They are above all based on the notion of work. Every career development has been based on merit. Respect for all, regardless of hierarchical level, is just as important. Everyone must respect the employee, whatever his or her position within the company. And finally, teamwork. Everyone has participated in the evolution, and the company's success is collective."
