The IDMAT Group continues to grow, with five additional employees and the launch of the new commercial brand Ektar in January 2022. Given the group’s development, its president has announced the upcoming opening of an experimentation laboratory in order to boost research and development (R&D), in line with the group’s DNA.
Ektar: innovation at the heart of the IDMAT Group
The innovation of the Ektar brand comes directly from the feedback from the field. The technical sales people bring up ideas to the technical director, Yoann Michenet, who used to be a producer himself. His priority is to innovate, together with Thomas Piou, the commercial director.
The engineering consultants and the technical directors then work on the calculations, drawings and prototyping with the help of two 3D printers, which are essential to quickly assess the feasibility of the projects that are not standard. Then, the supply and manufacturing teams intervene.
This is followed by a test period during which the resistance and breakage of the innovative products are tested on the internal test bench. As for the innovative projects, they are tested in the Cantet orchards, which are the source of the innovation gene. Once these steps are validated, the technical and commercial departments help the producers with the implementation of these solutions.
Ektar offers realistic innovation, based on the producers’ problems.
Evolutions of the IDMAT Group
Boosted by its recent dynamism, the IDMAT Group is loading up with novelties for the upcoming years.
From left to right: Xavier Saoudi (technical sales East), top-right, Philippe Cantet (technical expert), bottom left to right, Cédric Bonnin (ADV), Carole Bichot (ADV/Quality), Helder Santos (technical sales Southwest) and Simon Allonneau (BE engineer)
First of all, as announced on November 5th 2021, the agricultural part of the company now has a new commercial name, Ektar. This new brand is a continuation from IDMAT Arboriculture. Additionally, several partnerships have been signed between Ektar and experimentation or training centers. This way, Ektar will be able to showcase in these places from 2023, and will benefit from training materials and data collection, which are essential for the innovation projects.
Lucas Merceron, president of the IDMAT Group, has also announced the launch of a multi-crop laboratory (viticulture, vegetables, arboriculture), over 5 hectares, in order to accelerate research and development and meet the environmental challenges faced by producers. As a true experimentation center, this laboratory will allow Ektar to increase its reactivity and offer “tested and approved” solutions. All of this in partnership with a producer, which the entire group is very grateful for.
Finally, the IDMAT Group has hired new employees to support this strong development. Five employees have joined the team of engineering consultants, as well as the communication and sales services. These promising evolutions are a reflection of a beautiful group dynamics.
From left to right, Yoann Michenet (technical director), Amélie Barbieux (communication), Lucas Merceron (CEO), Thomas Piou (sales director) and Pierre-Antoine Billaud (technical sales Northwest)
Precious help from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
All these developments could not have seen the light of day without the help from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which has placed IDMAT as a key technical player in terms of innovation and has granted the group its trust and support, in a promising long-term partnership.
For more information:
Thomas Piou
IDMAT
Phone: +33 (0)5.49.95.46.07.
Mobile: +33 (0)6.14.06.26.49.
t.piou@idmat.fr
www.ektar.fr