Speaking at the conclusion of the day’s activities, Philippe Bonnave, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bouygues Construction, said: “Bouygues Construction sees innovation as its primary source of added value: this is ‘shared innovation’ that benefits its customers while at the same time improving its productivity and the working conditions of its employees, particularly with regard to matters of health and safety. In property development, in finance, in design and construction, in site management, in operation and maintenance and in deconstruction, we are surrounded by innovation. We encourage it at every stage of our projects. It makes us reinvent ourselves each day.”

Matching’Up, a forum devoted to networking with the most cutting-edge start-ups in the sector, enabled twelve of them to present innovations for reinventing offices of the future. 170 start-ups and SMEs had submitted dossiers in which they imagined new work spaces.

Another highlight of the day was an exhibition organised on over 70 stands, which put the spotlight on internal and external innovations currently impacting the various stages of construction, from upstream (property development, 3D design, etc.) to downstream (facilities management, new uses, maintenance, services, etc.), not forgetting the heart of the construction site, which has been revolutionised by the advent of BIM and digital technologies.

Finally the Innovation Competition – now in its 6th edition – rewarded the best inventions by Bouygues Construction employees, both in France and in other countries. A shortlist compiled by
a panel of experts from both inside and outside Bouygues Construction was presented to a jury made up of members of the Group’s General Management Committee. 658 entries were submitted this year, out of which 24 received awards.