Driving Transformation: INCONCRETO’s Strategic Value Proposition in 2025

Interview with Fran?ois Abiven , Chief Executive Officer of INCONCRETO, by Matteo Cadenazzi

As we turn the page to 2025, INCONCRETO Consulting continues to establish itself as a leading player in the industrial consulting sector. Indeed, the past year brought significant developments as businesses navigated a challenging economic environment characterized by cautious recovery and an increasing focus on sustainability and efficiency.

At the helm of INCONCRETO is Fran?ois Abiven , whose multifaceted professional background spans leadership roles in pharmaceuticals, energy, large-scale infrastructure, and high-tech. His vision and expertise have been instrumental in shaping #INCONCRETO’s innovative consulting model. In this interview, Fran?ois shares insights into the company’s 2024 journey, highlights important achievements, and outlines bold ambitions for the year ahead.

[Matteo Cadenazzi] Dear Fran?ois, as you envisioned one year ago, 2024 has indeed been a year of transformative momentum for INCONCRETO. The company reinforced its role as a smart, agile, and collaborative platform driven by a global team of senior industry professionals. Could you share how INCONCRETO evolved and positioned itself during these last months?

[Fran?ois Abiven] 2024 has been a pivotal year for INCONCRETO, marked by a doubling of our activity and outcomes. This growth reflects the culmination of our brand development, substantially enhancing our presence and reputation in the consulting market. The year’s results underscore the effectiveness of our strategy and our ability to deliver substantial value to clients.

One notable advancement has been the expansion of our organizational consulting services. We focused on auditing operational structures in industrial sectors and providing tailored recommendations. Unlike larger consulting firms that often rely primarily on benchmarks, we bring unique value through our team’s practical expertise – many of whom have firsthand experience managing factories. This hands-on knowledge enables us to deliver actionable insights and solutions that address real-world challenges.

Another milestone was the success of our new partnerships in the digital domain. A standout example is our collaboration with Belgian partner Ouat, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the digital twin solution HakoBio. This partnership allows us to combine cutting-edge digital technology with INCONCRETO’s deep industry expertise, providing clients with tailored advice on optimizing industrial processes. By accurately replicating the behavior of real-world models, we help reduce costs and drive efficiency.

[MC] It is impressive to see the breadth of actions INCONCRETO has undertaken over the past months. What have been some significant initiatives successfully conducted in 2024?

[FA] One standout project in 2024 was a major organizational efficiency initiative for a leading industrial client in Europe. This mission involved a comprehensive audit of their operational framework, including a detailed evaluation of their technological tools and processes. Our recommendations resulted in measurable gains in productivity and efficiency, showcasing our ability to tackle complex challenges effectively.

This year, we also bolstered our role in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), providing services such as identifying acquisition targets, managing integration processes, and assisting with divestitures when needed.

These examples illustrate our ability to address diverse client needs while maintaining a high standard of delivery, even amidst an increasingly dynamic and challenging industrial landscape.

[MC] As we step into 2025, what fields of activity is INCONCRETO exploring? Which regions are you prioritizing?

[FA] In 2025, we are deepening our focus on the exceptional challenges facing industries such as pharmaceuticals and energy.

The healthcare sector is experiencing unprecedented demand for large-scale production facilities, often requiring multi-billion-euro investments and innovative solutions. However, many industry players lack the experience to manage projects of this scale. Our consultants, with extensive expertise in handling major industrial undertakings, excel at identifying critical tasks and opportunities, guiding clients through the complexities of scaling effectively.

Similarly, in the energy sector, including nuclear, we provide a unique mix of strategic oversight and proactive technical know-how. In a field where expertise is often fragmented, we offer cohesive project management solutions, meeting the growing demand from governments and the private sector for effective execution of critical projects.

Beyond these core specializations, we are exploring large infrastructure projects, such as water treatment facilities, which align with our expertise and reinforce our commitment to sustainability.

Geographically, Europe and the Middle East remain our primary markets, with selective engagements in Asia, the U.S., and Africa as opportunities arise.

[MC] Since its launch in 2022, INCONCRETO has positioned itself as a dynamic and innovative force in industrial consulting. With industries facing increasingly complex challenges, how does the company plan to adapt and support its clients in 2025?

[FA] What sets us apart is our ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services. Unlike larger consulting firms burdened by high fixed costs, our consulting model is agile and efficient. We blend ?the industrial expertise of seasoned professionals with the fresh, innovative perspectives of individuals from marketing and commercial backgrounds. This approach allows us to deliver highly targeted and impactful solutions tailored to our clients’ unique needs.

In 2025, we will continue to strengthen this model by investing in our diverse, international team, which spans over ten nationalities and languages. This diversity not only enriches our capabilities but also attracts top-tier consultants who bring invaluable insights to our projects.

Our flexible working model is another key advantage. It allows us to take on short, high-impact projects that deliver targeted expertise at a reasonable cost. By fostering international collaboration, we provide clients with access to the best talent and solutions, empowering them to tackle even the most demanding challenges.

Staying at the forefront of technological advancements is central to our strategy. By leveraging tools like artificial intelligence to extract and analyse data efficiently, we ensure our clients benefit from cutting-edge innovations. This virtuous combination of technology, practical expertise, and a client-focused approach equips us to address the evolving needs of industries in 2025 and beyond.

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