Quite an outstanding performance too, for this Group, which employs more than 2,200 people across Europe, the U.S., South America and Asia, owns five plants in total, including in Asia, (two for plastic injection, one for coatings and the manufacture of metal closures, one for make-up formulation and one for the manufacture of brushes. “Our progression on this niche of brushes alone is a model of its kind, emphasised James Thorpe, since in the U.S. it represents no less than 30 million dollars in sales!”
Key elements of this “HCT New Look” built during the past few years: Diversification, defined as a business model, a maximum integration of services to offer its customers a complete offer both industrially speaking and in terms of services, the desire to build a comprehensive full-service offer and a marketing strategy consistently geared towards brand owners operating in mass distribution and, icing on the cake, innovation as the growth engine. “Actually, explains James Thorpe, we are capable of offering a truly comprehensive quality service which is highly appreciated by decision makers in this circuit, including our marketing model with which we propose to support their launches.” Latest key accounts to date, Intermarché (France), Eroski (Spain), Kicks (Sweden), without forgetting the Spanish department store El Corte Ingles.
Innovation as a strategic axis
Spearhead of the group in recent years, innovation. “Innovation that we develop ourselves, said James Thorpe, but for which we do not hesitate to enter into partnerships”.
This is the case, for example with the recent series of airless applicators combining HCT’s patented zamac applicators, allowing for a smooth application with a sensation of freshness on the skin, and the vertical airless pumps in the Spot Series proposed by the Korean manufacturer, Pump-Tech, which enable a precise product dosage. This series is particularly suitable for complex and delicate skincare formulas applied to the eye area. It avoids in particular having to apply the product with fingertips, which is always difficult in this particularly sensitive area. Several designs are available with 12 months of exclusivity for each.
