A KEDGE graduate won an award at the Neo-Aquitaine Economy Awards

Stéphane Cataldi, a graduate of KEDGE’s Grande Ecole Programme and President of CATALDI SAS (a company that specialises the trade, renovation, and manufacture of heat exchangers) received the Growth Award from François Gilles, Director of the Business Network and Private Banking at the Banque Populaire Occitane on Tuesday, 9 November, at the François Mitterrand Cultural Centre in Boé.

I am very proud to receive this award. I took over the family business from my father who passed away in 2018. Today I think a lot about him, and I know that he sees us from where he is, and this must make him very happy. - STÉPHANE CATALDI, PRESIDENT, CATALDI SAS 

The 2021 Neo-Aquitaine Economy Awards

Organised by Sud Ouest, the Banque Populaire, and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, in partnership with KEDGE Business School and Pouey International, the Neo-Aquitaine Economy Awards (Prix de l'Economie Néo-Aquitains) recognises companies in the region. They  passed out awards during an evening event on Tuesday, 9 November, at the François Mitterrand Cultural Centre in Boé, in the Lot-et-Garonne, 

CATALDI SAS, a fine family history

Stéphane Cataldi has run the family business since 2018, which was founded in the 1980s by his father, who was a welder by trade. 

CATALDI SAS has seen undeniable success, particularly since partnering with the SNCF. "We've been partners of the SNCF since 1990, and all the trains that run in France have had radiators repaired by Cataldi in Marmande.”

Several years ago, his father Mario made a winning gamble when he took over Hebco, Cataldi's supplier and partner in the railway sector, which was then in decline. From a turnover of 900,000 euros in 2015, the subsidiary based in Lamotte-Beuvron (Loir-et-Cher) is expected to reach 3 million euros by the end of the year.

CATALDI SAS currently has 34 employees and a turnover of 5.8 million euros (-35% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic). The company has had to adapt to a changing economic environment, but "as my father used to say, opportunities present themselves in times of crisis".

Stéphane Cataldi, a graduate of KEDGE's Grande Ecole Programme in continuing education format

"About ten years ago, when I was a student at KEDGE, I was part of the jury that selected the companies for the Neo-Aquitaine Trophy. I came on stage to explain the selection process. I'm very happy because tonight we've come full circle. 

• Find out more about the Grande Ecole Programme in continuing education format (in French) 
• Find out more about the Neo-Aquitaine Economy Awards 2021 (in French)
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