Interview with Etienne Dock, Senior Vice President Digital and Information and Alric Marc, Founding Director Eficia

Sustainability through digital excellence

Digitalisation is a cornerstone of our strategy. Recently, we acquired Eficia, a French specialist in digital building operations, to add to our digital offerings. In the following interview, we explore how digital solutions drive sustainability with insights from Etienne Dock, our Senior Vice President Digital and Information, and Alric Marc, Eficia’s founding director.

Etienne, how does digitalisation contribute to Hager Group's sustainability objectives?

Digitalisation is crucial for streamlining our operations which allows us to achieve our sustainability goals. Transitioning towards more service-based offerings has an immediate positive impact on our own and on our customers’ CO₂ footprint. Not least because digital solutions require less construction and transportation and are designed to increase energy efficiency. We are also monitoring the CO₂ impact of digital solutions and testing a solution to show employees the emissions from using Office 365. While video meetings are better than travel, stored documents also contribute to emissions.

Alric, how does Eficia fit into Hager’s sustainability strategy, and what is its value proposition?

Eficia’s products align with Hager’s focus on energy management. Our digital solutions enable efficient building management and integration into the smart grid, allowing substantial energy savings and reducing carbon footprints. Our advanced IoT solutions manage and automate systems like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting, achieving up to 40% energy savings in commercial buildings. These solutions also provide insights into comfort levels and equipment maintenance, enhancing overall efficiency and sustainability.

Eficia joined Hager Group last year. How is the integration going?

The integration is progressing smoothly, Hager Group has proven to be an excellent place to work. We are now focusing on developing joint offerings that leverage the strengths of both companies. Our goal is to introduce innovative solutions across various markets, enhancing our collective capabilities in digital transformation and energy management for both residential and commercial buildings.

How do we leverage data and analytics to monitor and improve our sustainability performance, and how does this data influence executive decision-making?

Data availability and quality are crucial for our digital transformation, providing the foundation for our customers and partners to evaluate and use our products. As most purchasing journeys are now digital, products without accompanying data hold little value. Sustainability data is equally important, directly impacting the ranking and visibility of our products in online catalogues.

Alric, how have Eficia’s existing customers benefited from you joining Hager Group?

Joining Hager Group provides Eficia’s existing customers with access to an expanded range of products and solutions including energy storage systems and electric vehicle chargers. Additionally, our customers can deploy Eficia’s solutions across all the countries where Hager Group operates. This of course significantly broadens their reach and enhances their energy management capabilities globally.

Etienne, can you share examples of how digital innovations within Hager Group have contributed to our sustainability efforts?

We have implemented new digital planning methods for accurate production forecasts and reduced stock levels. Integrating Manufacturing 4.0 with IoT technology optimises production and stock allocation, minimising transportation. These changes promote sustainability by reducing plastic use and energy consumption during production and transportation.

What role do fast developing technologies (like AI, blockchain, etc.) play in driving the sustainability agenda, and how is Hager Group preparing to integrate these technologies for a greener future?

AI, and more specifically, Generative AI, will contribute significantly to the transformation of sustainability, and Hager Group has, of course, embraced with several projects in production and sales that contribute to more efficiency. We are soon to launch our Hager GPT. For some other technologies like Blockchain, we should always remain vigilant in benchmarking the benefits and the impact—for example, mining blockchain consumes a lot of energy.

And finally, Alric, where would you like to see Hager Group and Eficia five years from now?

I want to see our combined offerings available in all markets, providing a comprehensive solution that encompasses hardware, software, and services for all types of buildings. We are aiming to empower businesses and individuals with the tools and insights needed to optimise energy usage, enhance operational efficiency, and so contribute to a more sustainable future.