In a recent episode of the podcast The Builders, Richard Mitha received Germain Emile Charier, responsible for the performance and innovation of CHARIER group. This family business, founded in 1897, is a key player in public works, careers and civil engineering.
The exchange highlights the challenges of the sector, in particular digitalization, adaptation to new regulations and the integration of sustainable solutions. How does a 128-year-old family business succeed in reinventing itself without losing its DNA? That's the whole question this episode asks.
A family history structured around transmission
For over a century, the CHARIER group has established itself as a key player in construction in the Western region. With 1,800 employees and a turnover of 349 million euros, the company has been able to combine growth and local roots.
But what sets the CHARIER group, it is its unique family model, organized around an intergenerational charter aimed at overseeing the integration of new generations. The objective? Guarantee the sustainability of the group by relying on a clear framework:
1 ️ Mandatory outdoor experience : before joining the company, each member of the family must acquire at least three years of experience elsewhere.
2 ️ Responding to a business need: no automatic entry, the skills acquired must serve a strategic need of the group.
3 ️ ※ Bringing real added value: each member must demonstrate expertise that will enrich the company.
This approach makes it possible to maintain the balance between family heritage and openness to innovation. Germain Emile Charier is the perfect example: after a career at Colas, he joined the CHARIER group with a strategic vision focused on continuous improvement and digitalization.
Digital transformation at the heart of performance
In a sector where process optimization has become essential, CHARIER group has made digitalization a driver of competitiveness.
The adoption of digital tools has made it possible to streamline operations and to gain in precision, in particular thanks to:
✅ Real-time flow monitoring: reduction of delivery errors and optimization of truck rotations.
✅ Better traceability of materials: automation of entries and centralization of data.
✅ More effective management of quarries and construction sites: integration of digital solutions to reduce waste and improve profitability.
“We have integrated lean management into our approach to improve our overall performance. This allows us to bring more value to our customers while reducing our environmental footprint. “— Germain Emile Charier
These innovations allow the CHARIER group to adapt to market changes while maintaining a high level of quality on its projects.
A strong commitment to the environment
Beyond digitalization, the CHARIER group has also placed the environment at the heart of its strategy. Faced with new regulatory requirements and climate challenges, the company has committed itself to several major initiatives:
🌿 Development of landscape design and ecological engineering: revalorization of natural spaces, urban renewal and preservation of biodiversity.
♻️ Optimization of waste management: recycling of materials from construction sites and implementation of a circular economy approach.
💧 Smart management of water and natural resources: integration of solutions aimed at limiting the impact of infrastructures on the environment.
“We can no longer build without integrating the environmental issue. This is a fundamental challenge for the sustainability of our business. “— Germain Emile Charier
A resilient and sustainable business model
In a context where economic and regulatory instability is weighing on the construction industry, CHARIER group stands out for its agility and its long-term vision.
How can we continue to grow in the face of these uncertainties? The company focuses on three fundamental pillars:
1 ️ Innovation and digitalization to improve productivity and meet the new requirements of the sector.
2 ️ Transmission and family roots to guarantee stable and sustainable management.
3 ️ ※ Listening and collaboration with local actors to build projects adapted to the challenges of tomorrow.
“The key to our resilience is transmission and adaptation. We have gone through several crises in 128 years, and we know that our strength lies in our ability to evolve while staying true to our values. “— Germain Emile Charier
The CHARIER group perfectly illustrates the ability of family businesses to combine tradition and modernity. By placing innovation, ecological transition and transmission at the center of its strategy, it is preparing the future of construction with a sustainable and responsible vision.
📢 Check out the full episode of the podcast The Builders and dive into the heart of the innovations that are transforming the construction industry!