A year of strong growth in 2021
NV Equipment is a reference in the field of exterior boat protection and upholstery, from bimini to hoods and various covers. Founded in 1977, the Vendée-based company has shown strong growth in recent years, which is confirmed by the 2021 results. The fiscal year ending August 31, 2021, reached 14 million euros in revenues. This represents an increase of 28% compared to fiscal year 2020, and 5% compared to fiscal year 2019, the pre-pandemic year of Covid-19. The objectives are 16 million euros in 2022 and 20 million euros by 2024-2025
"Our distribution network helped us to limit the effects of the decline in original equipment in 2020 and today, the whole business is growing in both original equipment and aftermarket, with international growth as well," explains Aurélie Belmont, Administrative and Human Resources Manager.
Significant recruitment needs
Faced with the prospects of important growth, NV Equipment has already launched investments, such as the expansion of the canvas manufacturing workshop, which will be operational at the beginning of 2022. It is 6 000 m² of production workshop which welcome the manufacturing of the range in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. 850 000euros of investment, mainly in the digital are planned in 2022.
But digital is not enough and staffing needs are important. 30 employees have already joined the workforce since September 2021, which has reached 170 employees. The goal is to add 50 employees over the year.
"We have 10 positions open today and another 10 afterwards. It is also important to spread them out to welcome and integrate new employees, because the objective is to hire and build loyalty. We are looking for stitching operators, but also in mechanical assembly and welding, export trade, support services..." says the HR manager.
Internal training is essential
In such specific jobs, NV Equipment is forced to rely on internal training. "Of course we work with training centers, but it's difficult in our very specific trades. Operators coming from the textile industry are obviously interesting for us, but what we ask them at NV Equipment is often 180° from what they did before. So we bet a lot on the professionalization of talented and passionate amateurs. We work on the training course to increase their skills. There is a major challenge to prepare for retirements. We are also going to relaunch our policy of welcoming work-study students," explains Aurélie Belmont.
Integrating 50 employees in one year in a 150-person SME is a major challenge. "It's a big step, but we're digesting it quite well," says the human resources manager in conclusion.
