Kiloutou announces growth initiatives

Kiloutou has announced a series of initiatives to help it grow in the coming years, including a significant fleet renewal plan, a new corporate identity, an acceleration of its international and domestic expansion, and plans to give customers personalised access to account information via a redesigned website.

The initiatives were announced as Kiloutou revealed that its revenues grew by 1% to €462 million in 2015. That modest growth highlights the difficult conditions in France just now, given that Kiloutou made seven company acquisitions in the year to April 2015.

Kiloutou said it will retain its focus on professional customers – who represent 94% of revenues – and also its strategy of operating both general and specialist divisions (including access, heavy equipment and accommodation).

The fleet renewal programme will see Kiloutou invest in 4000 new large machines, largely comprising aerial platforms, excavators, telehandlers, wheeled loaders and compaction machines.

The new website will give customers – both large and small – personalised access to account data as well as real-time equipment availability information.

The company said it will continue to participate in the consolidation of the French market, where it has made six acquisitions since November 2014, and also expand its networks in Spain and Poland, where is already has seven and 34 locations, respectively. It said it will open new depots in Spain and Poland this year.

At the same time, Kiloutou has made some adjustments to its management team, with Olivier Colleau taking on the role of CEO of Kiloutou’s French operation. Mr Colleau was previously director of the group’s depot network.

Xavier du Boÿs remains as CEO of the group, while Patrick Rybicki remains in charge of international development activities. Alain Loeb is finance director.

Kiloutou said its new corporate logo and identity – see photo above left - reflected the “balance between our two strengths – professionalism and the human dimension.” The brand was developed with the help of design agency AKDV.

The company revealed that is 2015 revenues were split between building/construction (42%), public works (21%), industrial/local authorities (31%) and private consumers 6%.