Codine : high security leader
Have you ever been to the Louvre in Paris? What about London’s Victoria & Albert Museum? Or the Royal Museum in Brussels? If so, without knowing it you were in close proximity to Codine’s specialised technology. But hopefully not too close. Meet a European champion in the field of protective systems.
By Paul KUVNIC
Founded in
1976, Codine (Corporate Distribution and Industrial Engineers) initially
focused on industrial process automation and worker safety around dangerous
machinery. Responding to a customer request in the early 1980s, Codine
developed its first detection system, launching the firm on a highly successful
path.
Today Codine is the European leader in discreet alarm systems for protecting publicly displayed works of art. Numerous museums, churches, galleries and luxury firms count on Codine systems to protect their valuable assets. The company has won a dozen different innovation and quality awards.
In this market being an SME is a strong point, says Pierre Dumont, managing director. "Big companies won’t go directly into a niche market because their investment won’t be returned quickly enough. A museum is not an industry. It wants to take time to be sure the technology is effective. We can work on a longer time scale, providing tailor-made solutions and long-term service. That’s how we compete with big distributors".
Technology pioneer
Codine’s solutions use cutting-edge technologies. Its pioneering electromagnetic proximity detection system forms a protective cocoon around a valuable object. Other detection solutions are based on gravimetric, piezo-seismic, infrared and laser technologies.
How important is research and development? "Quite important, Pierre Dumont answers. Only when you are the best can you go abroad. So we must be at the top of the market and be the first with new technology".
With 70%
of its revenue coming from outside Belgium, Codine is growing but in a
controlled way. Pierre Dumont explains: "We focus on European countries
because the farther we go from our home base the harder it is to assure
quality. Maintaining our reputation is absolutely essential, so we don’t want
to expand too fast. We are extending outward in a spiral".
© Dynamisme Wallon, 12/2007
Localisation : Wavre
Founded in : 1976
Activity : leader in discreet alarm systems for the protection of publicly displayed artworks
Employees : 5
Export volume : 70% in 2006