Engineering & Works

Santerne Surfaces Commerciales (Santerne retail space) did not come by its name lightly. Most of its business activity is for large retail chains. Whether remodelling the check-out system for LEADER PRICE or carrying out work for SEPHORA under a framework contract, the challenge is always the same: handling large numbers of retail outlets over a very broad broad area and working after closing hours so as not to disrupt operations.

The business unit’s HR system has been adapted accordingly. Most work is scheduled at night and worksite teams are primarily employed in the field. Beyond its familiarity with chain retail operations and products to be used, this flexibility accounts for Santerne’s success. At Santerne, segmentation is more than a matter of technical expertise and customers.

Nevertheless, some projects are carried out during normal working hours. When Santerne renovated the AUCHAN mall in St Genis Laval near Lyon (under a €2m contract), it carried out new construction in the daytime, and renovated the existing buildings after closing time! The project was atypical for the business unit in terms of both its size and its proximity.

Our joint venture with CAP Sécurité, a business unit within the Pôle VEFTCES specialising in video surveillance and access control, gave us a competitive edge. The customer wanted to work with specialists, and Santerne and CAP Sécurité together won the contract.