lundi 22 juillet 2024
Denis Maurin, HCT: « We aim to expand our dominance on the metal applicator sector in beauty »
[Exclusive] Five years after primary packaging supplier HCT was acquired by Canadian group KDC/One, HCT President of Sales & Innovation Denis Maurin sat down with Formes de Luxe to talk innovation, patent protection and the need for fresh ideas in beauty packaging. Known for its strong track record in working with indie brands, the supplier is gearing up to launch a range of stainless-steel applicators and has plans for an industrial acquisition in Europe.
What has changed since HCT joined KDC/One?
Denis Maurin: HCT’s directors, James and Tim Thorpe, left the company in July 2020. When we first joined KDC/One, we were integrated into the group’s Beauty and Personal Care division, which has added significant leverage to HCT’s business model. We continue to have more of an entrepreneurial bent and much of our innovation is done upstream, and not just in response to a brief.
So are you able to operate independently?
For the moment, HCT reports to the Beauty & Personal Care division, but we operate our own innovation model. Of course, we benefit from the fact that we belong to a large group, with all the advantages that offers. KDC is a major player with expertise ranging from formulation to filling and operates manufacturing sites in Europe—including in France with Alkos and Intercosmétiques—in North America and in China. The group is comprised of three divisions: Beauty, Personal Care and Home Care.
One example of how we are benefiting from the group’s strengths is the mass market men’s care line for Dwayne « the Rock » Johnson: HCT was in charge of all the packaging and KDC conceived the formulas. This has allowed us to expand our range, since historically we’ve focused on make-up and skincare.
This modus operandi is paying off. Since Covid, we’ve reported our best figures ever, which is also because the industry has picked up and there is a lot of restocking. While 2023 was a bit slower, business is picking up again in 2024.
Source : Formes De Luxe