Right after China’s National Day holiday, Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain Group, along with Noemi Chocat, Group Strategy Director, embarked on a tightly scheduled journey to China.

While Benoit's visit to China is regular in his busy agenda, each year he updates local team with the latest news from the Group and also gains insights into the dynamics of Chinese market.

On the Go: Visiting Four Sites in Three Days

Accompanied by local executives, including Ludovic Weber, CEO of Asia-Pacific Region, and Nicolas Suret, CFO of Asia-Pacific Region, Benoit and Noemi toured around several sites and office, including Gypsum site in Yuzhou, Henan province, Ceramics site in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Abrasives sites in Shanghai, and Asia-Pacific Headquarter of Adhesives and Sealants (R&D labs, product showrooms, etc.) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.?

The visit to sites and office enabled Benoit and Noemi to connect directly with local teams as well as to understand production processes and operations. They explored critical details such as safety management, quality control, and technological applications, meanwhile they were impressed by China’s implementation of sustainability, automation, digitalization and Saint-Gobain’s corporate culture.

In Yuzhou, Zhengzhou, and Hangzhou, Benoit and Noemi held internal discussions with management teams from various businesses, delving into topics such as performances, business planning, market trends, and future outlook, and they also offered constructive feedback and suggestions. At the Regional Office in Shanghai, Benoit delivered a presentation on Group Strategy and priorities for management team to dozens of managers and directors on the site. Their questions were also responded to.?

Besides business operation, Benoit also took the time to meet employees working at Ceramics Zhengzhou and Adhesives and Sealants Hangzhou, sharing the Group's vision and Purpose. He emphasized the importance of safety, health, and environmental protection as well as encouraged the employees to take an active role in Saint-Gobain's growth journey.

Strengthening Partnerships: A Commitment to Collaboration

In addition to internal visit, Benoit and Noemi had a few face-to-face exchanges with several partners of Saint-Gobain. In Yuzhou, they met local government officials, including Mr. Chen Tao, Mayor of Yuzhou and Secretary of Yuzhou Municipal Committee, and Mr. Huang He, Vice Mayor of Xuchang and Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. They discussed the development of Saint-Gobain’s gypsum site. Benoit expressed his appreciation for the strong support from the local government together with favorable business environment, which played a crucial role in facilitating Saint-Gobain's investment in the city. With Chinese market highly valued, Saint-Gobain remains confident in its ongoing expansion efforts in China.

To further connect with the market, Benoit and Noemi visited two distributor stores in Henan, understanding their business models, customer feedback, and market outlook. They extended their appreciation to the distributors for their contributions to Saint-Gobain's expansion in China.

At their final stop, Shanghai, Benoit received a television interview in a studio to present Saint-Gobain's investment and development strategies in the Yangtze River Delta, as well as the achievements in sustainability, technological innovation, and corporate social responsibility.

Boosting Morale and Driving Growth
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Spanning a range of markets and industries, Saint-Gobain's extensive businesses in China constantly adapt to both internal and external changes. The visit of top executives not only highlights the importance attached to Chinese market, but also facilitates the spread of local voices to the Group. This open and two-way communication injects confidence and solidarity to Chinese team.