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2016 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT

lowers material oversupply. The program includes a dozen applications to precisely manage every step in the supply chain: ahead of the project, beginning with the initial consultation (GPS Takeoff) all the way to the end of the project with an exact calculation of productivity gained (GPS Dollarization), which presents the amount and explanation of savings per item.

DEDICATED TEAMS AND SOLUTIONS Strict in matters of quality and safety, observant of drastic norms and standards, Rexel s industrial customers share similar modus operandi and decision-making pro- cesses. In addition to a vertical approach by market segment, major projects neces- sitate conforming to the customer s work- site conditions and business activity, in every part of the world. Within the Group, specialized teams pro- vide tailor-made services. Rexel IPG is Rex- el s dedicated team for these prime contrac- tors. Rexel IPG works for the Group s various entities, providing assistance between departments in answering calls for tenders, optimizing best practices, sales activities and solutions offered. In 2016, Rexel IPG carried out a construc- tion project with a local team in northern Saudi Arabia, on a remote mining site without any existing infrastructure, over 1,500 km (932 miles) from the capital. The Group arrived on-site after the MTO, setting up a warehouse to extend its supply chain and better manage inventory on the premises. Two dedicated representatives provided customer interface, project man- agement and logistical organization. Finally, in order to ensure reliable commu- nication, a software program developed internally was used: IPG Maps. This fully

configurable tool allowed the customer to access secure information at will, most notably scheduling, product availability and deliveries. In Germany, the Group has created nine Industrial Service Centers (ISC) to meet its industrial and key account customers needs. Specialized teams in direct contact with the customer propose tailor-made industrial solutions. Their technical exper- tise allows them to initiate or extend part- nerships, which can go as far as developing original concepts or specific product ranges for an industrial sector. Finally, with a high added-value approach, Rexel relies on highly specialized banners. For example, in the United States, Capitol Light has been part of the Group since 2006. As a lighting specialist, its offer is mainly aimed at hotels, restaurants, and retail chains. In addition, Rexel continues to follow a policy of selective acquisitions that enable the Group to develop new areas of expertise. In the US, the Group finalized the 2016 acquisition of a specialist in services related to industrial automation and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations): Brohl & Appell. This opera- tion completes Rexel s MRO offering and presents additional opportunities for its customers, including energy efficiency and new technologies.