"The construction sector was an obvious choice for me."

Ingrid, you've been with Xella France since 2020. What made you choose Xella as your employer at that time?
I was motivated by the challenge of developing volume in a construction market that has historically been dominated by bricks and blocks. With our products, I saw an opportunity to offer the market a differentiated solution with economic and environmental benefits. Having previously worked in the concrete industry, joining Xella meant a certain continuity for me. Joining a large, solid group further reinforced my decision.

What brought you to the construction industry?
I started very young as a sales representative for a wine distributor in Bordeaux. Among my clients were businesses looking to offer wine to their employees at the end of the year. It is very common in France to offer this to customers along with local culinary specialties. Many of my clients happened to be major construction companies in the region, material distributors, and architects. I felt a strong connection to this sector. Authenticity, pragmatism, long-term vision, trust, and speaking honestly were values I resonated with, so it was a natural step for me to enter the world of construction.

Did you always dream of working in this field?
As a child, I watched my grandfather build and manage cement factories, and I admired the man he was and his success. I still remember the day I was hired as area manager in the company he has previously worked, I was full of pride and happiness. In fine, the construction sector was an obvious trajectory for me.

You've been the Sales and Marketing Director for Xella France since 2023, and in this position your mission is to increase the presence of Xella's constructive solutions in construction, renovation and development projects, as well as to direct and coordinate the actions of the teams. What does this mean in practice?
Customer proximity and advisory: cultivating close relationships with our clients and staying attuned to market trends. Providing advice and emphasizing strong values such as commitment and respect. This contributes to improving our operational efficiency and fostering a clearer understanding of the company's vision among employees.

Brand visibility: enhancing the visibility of our brands and products, especially in interior design with Siporex and in construction with Ytong and Hebel. This requires influential communication, both digital and traditional, to bolster our market presence.
 
Strategy stability: maintaining stability in our commercial strategy based on three main pillars: prescription, promotion, and network. While being mindful of sustainability, these pillars form a solid foundation for our company and guide our long-term actions.
 
The CSR is at the heart of concerns, how do you manage these aspects for France?
At Xella in France, we place significant importance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Our clients are increasingly interested in the actions we undertake in this area, and organizations like Ecovadis also evaluate our performance. We are proud to have received the Silver Medal last year, which reflects our efforts in this field.

As an individual, I am committed to promoting the "Fair/ Livable/ Viable" aspects for Xella and for all our employees. We are determined to establish a fair, sustainable, and enriching corporate culture for everyone.