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Kiloutou: "We are all links in a chain"

2021-06-09T19:12:17.533Z


FIGARO DEMAIN - The construction equipment rental specialist must succeed in getting all of its partners on board.


It is a promising meeting which was held on May 19. Kiloutou, the number two French construction equipment rental company (with a turnover of 646 million euros in 2020), organized the first edition of the Rencontres du Material Durable. Around the table, no less than 55 players in the sector, bringing together manufacturers (Manitou, Haulotte, JCB, Volvo, etc.), institutional representatives (FNTP, FFB, Ademe, etc.) and customers (Vinci, Bouygues, Eiffage, etc. ).

“The idea was first of all to share a diagnosis, that of the need to improve our carbon footprint across the entire construction industry

,” emphasizes Olivier Colleau, President of Kiloutou.

Then, several solutions were examined with the capacity to influence the course of things since they are important actors. ”

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The rental company considers that it has full legitimacy to play this pilot role.

At the start of the year, it announced its goal of reducing its direct CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. But Kiloutou cannot take this path alone: ​​only 6% of its emissions are generated by the operation of its 530 branches and the transport of equipment (earthmoving machines, nacelles, small tools, etc.).

The majority of carbon dioxide production comes from the operation of equipment at customers' premises.

Construction alone represents 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in France.

What is worth to the sector to be pointed out.

Shareholder support

In this context, the manufacture of machinery and tools is an


essential

lever

for greening the management of construction sites. Almost all of the equipment works with a diesel engine whose carbon footprint is 99% greater than that of an electric motor. But the problem is that an electric machine costs up to 2.5 times more expensive than equipment with a heat engine; it is then less expensive to use, due to a lower energy cost.

"Succeeding in convincing our partners to switch to alternative materials is not driven solely by ecological considerations

," resumes Olivier Colleau.

The economic impact is also significant. ”

To succeed in this transformation, there is a scale issue so that the entire industry can navigate.

"We are all links in a chain: the first step is to go beyond the prototype stage for the big machines of the future",

adds the manager.

Kiloutou already offers a range of 3000 alternative equipment but there is not yet a solution for the largest machines, the most energy intensive. In the meantime, the rental strategy remains the most virtuous, considers Olivier Colleau: over its entire life cycle, equipment rented, more used and better maintained, produces up to


50% less emissions than equipment owned by its own.

“This pooling of equipment is also much more advantageous from an economic

standpoint,” continues the manager.

SMEs are the first concerned, which cannot invest heavily in a fleet of equipment. Even if it is the large groups that remain the largest rental consumers. ”

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As part of this technico-ecological revolution, Kiloutou can count on the support of its shareholders.

Since its creation in 1980 by Franky Mulliez, a representative of the family of entrepreneurs from the North (Auchan, Decathlon), several investment funds (including PAI Partners) have succeeded in the capital.

Today, Franky Mulliez owns 15% of the shares, the employees as much.

For three years, the remainder has been housed in a holding company - HLD - bringing together French family entrepreneurs: Norbert Dentressangle, the Decaux family, Claude Bébéar…

This ecological transition is still supported by the 5,000 employees who can measure the progress made on a daily basis.

Over the next few years, the carbon footprint of the branch network should decrease by 40%.

New construction techniques and innovative processes such as energy management are starting to bear fruit.

At the same time, Kiloutou is in the process of changing its car fleet.

Some 500 hybrid vehicles are being integrated, or 40% of the light vehicle fleet.

For heavy goods vehicles, the group is greening its fleet to the tune of 8% of its fleet each year.

“We are all the more encouraged to accelerate when our employees challenge us

,” concludes Olivier Colleau.

They are fully aware of the climate emergency and the need for accountability. ”

Le Figaro

Society, health, environment, education, energy

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Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-06-09

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