Future competitiveness and environmental protection will, to a large extent, depend on businesses investing in digital technologies and innovative, sustainable processes.
Ten Luxembourg-based companies competed for awards in five categories. Most of all, they were aiming for the Skilled Trades and Crafts Innovation Grand Prize 2024 awarded to firm with the most impressive overall innovation.
The Winners
Manufacture Grand-Ducale took the honours in the “Product & Design” category with their luxury watch, the first to be produced in Luxembourg. Luxforge won in the “Services” category with their latest digital, configurable, real-time design system for steel products. Saturne Technology took first place in the “Processes” category for their 3D metal printers used to develop and produce aerospace engines. Menuiserie Reckinger secured first place in the “Marketing/Communication” category, thanks to their woodturning school, first independent school of its type in Luxembourg.
The “Coup de Coeur” – the prize that won the jury’s hearts and deserved special recognition – was awarded to ADnigma. The jury was impressed by the firm’s puzzle box based on the escape game concept.
The Grand Prize
The Grand Prize was awarded to Cocottes, which specialises in high-quality fast food, mainly for urban customers. They received a cheque for 7,000 euros, the PIA trophy, and also won the “Management & Organisation” award. Founded in 2014, the firm opened a 2,000 m2 production facility in Grass five years later. They realised quickly that they needed a system to support this growth.
Their innovation for which they received this award is a digital data network that brings together comprehensive information about all their operational processes, from production to sales. Equipped with this data, the company can work more effectively, particularly by planning production schedules more accurately.
This ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system gives a complete overview, including warehouse stock, the production plan, stock held in each outlet, sales figures, and a host of other data. They are currently planning to introduce a new function which will enable them to track reusable packaging.
One might not instantly consider innovation in the context of the catering sector, but Cocottes is leading by example. In her acceptance speech, the firm’s director general Clémentine Venck emphasised that: “as well as being passionate about craftsmanship, considerable resilience is required to achieve successful innovations”.
The company has 16 outlets in Luxembourg as well as an online shop. Their 260 employees in the kitchens, bakeries, shops, transportation teams, and offices work to ensure that customers enjoy delicious food.
Ms Venck noted, with a smile of contentment, that she is very proud of her entire team, not least as Cocottes initially received considerable criticism. It is moments like this when the company receives recognition that she can reflect on how investing so much energy and commitment has brought this success. Cocottes celebrated its tenth anniversary earlier this month, during which time the company has already developed 1,500 different recipes, thanks largely to its innovative outlook.
It is particularly satisfying for Ms Venck that this win coincides with Cocottes’ birthday, noting that this “award confirms the company’s resilience.” It was an emotional moment for her, when she could reflect on ten years of hard work, as well as the fun and fulfilment of succeeding at what she enjoys doing.
The company plans to innovate further over the next few years to support their plans to boost quantity and quality. “The cash prize will be invested in developing further our flexible system,” says Ms Venck. Going forward, it will remain essential that the company remains true to its values: preparing good, high-quality food, while being committed to social and environmental sustainability.
But what is her favourite Cocottes dish? She said it is their Plant-Based Red Curry, a completely vegan offering with the flavours of Thailand. The recipe is a secret, so if you want to experience these taste sensations yourself you should pay Cocottes a visit.
For further information: Prix de l‘Innovation dans l‘Artisanat 2024