Lectra presses ahead of innovation. The company (specialized in technological solutions for fashion, automotive and furnishing) has announced the opening of its Innovation Lab, created by Philippe Ribera (vice president of Innovation), which is based in the technological area of the group, at Bordeaux-Cestas, France. Mission: “Capturing emerging trends, anticipating market developments and improving future technological solutions”. Innovation Lab is conceived by Lectra as a hub to “channel everyone’s ideas” because, according to the company founded in 1973 (which today employs over 1,700 people), “innovation cannot be conceived in isolation”. The new Innovation Lab team will work closely with start-ups, research centres, Lectra customers and employees. The guiding principle is to rethink the value chain of the sector, involving brands, producers and distributors. “Innovation, and in particular disruptive innovation, implies a real cultural transformation within society. It cannot simply be born. Innovation Lab teams have now understood this well and are making tangible progress in strengthening the commitment of Lectra and our employees to follow this path and guide our customers towards success” explains Véronique Zoccoletto of Lectra that closed 2018 at 282.6 million euros (+4% at constant exchange rates and +2% at current exchange rates, compared to 2017) and with a net profit of 28.7 million euro, down 2%.
