“Bringing together the four main businesses covered by Sonepar Sud-Est” was the key motivation behind creating the show. “These four areas of specialization are both the spearhead of our business and a great lever for promoting it,” states Dominique Vinay, who heads Sonepar Sud-Est:
- Industry: measurement, control, automation.
- Domosic: weak currents and their many applications, from PA and intercom systems to video surveillance and access control.
- Lighting: architectural and decorative.
- Climatic: heating, air conditioning, energy management, air treatment.
“The SIDEC has become a real interactive melting pot, a prime venue for communication between hands-on people, promotion of innovative technology solutions and marketing initiatives conducted through all Sonepar Sud-Est branches,” asserts Dominique Vinay.
Over 3,800 visitors, most of them independent installers, users, influencers, prime contractors and owners, got the opportunity to wander around 65,000 square feet of show floor area. 150 exhibitors, including the top French and international brands, displayed their various product lines and technological innovations for 2006.
The SIDEC offered a new feature this year – a TV studio located at the very center of the show. Electrical equipment professionals were thus filmed as they traded views on the issues facing the industry. On the set, Dominique Vinay gave a warm welcome to Hubert Stourm, the CEO of Sonepar France, who took the opportunity to stress what an essential role Sonepar plays in advising, listening and responding to its customers, day in and day out.
Hubert Stourm also placed heavy emphasis on the relationship between Sonepar France and its partners/suppliers. “Our middleman function has made us keenly aware of the market, and we can share that awareness with our suppliers to give them a better handle on market trends. In addition, our role as consultant and “trusted partner” to suppliers makes us highly attuned to our customers’ needs, since we can recommend cost-effective solutions that are best suited to their technological needs.”
Hubert Stourm also mentioned that “Sonepar gives its branches high priority by maintaining appropriate inventory at each branch so that they can fill deliveries as of day 0.”
Sonepar Sud-Est customers, suppliers and employees were delighted to get together in this friendly atmosphere. The next SIDEC is scheduled for 2008.
