Reforming family business practices: a vast undertaking

Active for over 75 years in the machining and manufacture of micromechanical parts, Décovi SA called on platinn to reorganize itself for the Industry 4.0 era.

Décovi SA is a family business founded in 1947, just after the^2nd World War, by Denis Chèvre, the paternal grandfather. It got off to a rocky start, first as a freelancer, then as a boss. When son Claude took over the business in 1985, the company had around ten employees.

Today, it's Cédric Chèvre,^3rd in line, who is gradually taking over the reins. At the age of 34, he is now co-CEO - with his father - of a modern company employing around a hundred people. Since 2009, Décovi has been part of the Acrotec Group, which currently comprises some 25 companies.

A new boom with the development of oscillating weights

Décovi's activities fall into three main product categories. Bar turning is the historic core business of the Jura-based company. It enables the machining of various microtechnical parts used in the composition of equipment for industry in general.

The development of oscillating weights as a new area of activity complemented this basic know-how, as did milling. The production, laser engraving and decoration of these specific watch movements have clearly taken the company to a new level.

An extension to the production area has been dedicated specifically to this product range. Cédric Chèvre explains: " We produce large volumes of oscillating weights for all the major watch brands. We started out around ten years ago, and our growth is also based on this outlet.

Today, Décovi is active in a wide range of sectors including aerospace, electronics, medical and dental, watchmaking, appliances and defense - for example, in the design of micromotors that require increasingly complex parts.

Different types of coaching to modernize practices

With its recent expansion, the company has found itself faced with new challenges: retaining its family DNA while modernizing its practices, particularly its quality control processes.

With Nicolas Roth, who led a Phase III Organization coaching, the Décovi management team worked on improving the quality culture within the company. This led to the creation of a technical office to oversee industrialization. A person in charge of quality control for oscillating weights was also given special attention. Finally, the organization of work has been rethought, giving managers greater autonomy in managing their teams.

In the production department, the coaching helped to identify certain practices that were no longer relevant, and to clarify the activities of each position by setting priorities. Coaching led to the development of standard ranges, the introduction of quality indicators and visual management in the workshops.

At the same time, Décovi's management, working with business coach Fabien Käser, conducted a number of in-depth discussions with a steering group. An extensive SWOT analysis was carried out to take stock and raise the right strategic questions for the future. Numerous discussions and avenues of reflection are currently being explored and have yet to materialize.

Finally, this phase III business coaching focused on commercial strategy, with the development of new markets, by advising a particular company employee.

Compete to stay in the game

To remain sustainable, Décovi's objective is threefold: to reduce the cost price of its products, to continue investing in its production facilities and to approach new markets. In the near future, the company hopes to increase its presence in the medical market. This market is less likely to be affected by the economic climate, as is the case for the watchmaking sector in particular.

The other key to remaining competitive is the ability to innovate. Décovi wants to take advantage of the current modernization dynamic to work on another project. The company has asked for support in setting up real-time production management software(MES), in order to make the transition to Industry 4.0 and connected machines.

By Arnaud Gariépy

Source : platinn