“We are in the high-end segment and that’s why innovation is vital for us,” explains Christophe Losange, manager at Codipro. “Doing nothing on such a basic product exposes us to the risk of being copied all the time.”
One of Codipro’s innovative approaches is the three-year Gradup project, which specifically targeted materials rather than technology for lifting rings designed to lift loads ranging from 70 kg to 125 tonnes.
Codipro’s idea was to propose materials that far exceeded the minimum level of standards imposed, and thus propose a breakthrough innovation, rather than taking the risk of a purely marketing approach.
“We don’t have dedicated research and development teams as such,” says Dr. Losange.
“We preferred to set up an ‘Innovation’ unit of half a dozen people from different departments of the company.”
The grant, granted by the Ministry of Economy, was “substantial”, to use Mr. Losange’s words, and Luxinnovation’s contribution was also valuable in structuring ideas. “We were well listened to and our specific needs were identified and analysed. In addition, we have been well guided not to get lost in the administrative machinery.”
The neutral approach taken by the agency’s teams also made it possible to avoid the appearance of some inconsistencies and “weaknesses” in the file. “This stage is probably even more important than the first,” says Mr. Losange. “And this way of deciphering our file is a real added value, especially with regard to the analysis and management of the risks inherent to the project, which goes far beyond the mere question of whether or not we will succeed in selling these new lifting rings.”