With Make & Manufacture, this KEDGE alumna helps very small businesses and SMEs produce a small series of objects.

Caroline Praguez graduated from the EBP programme in 1999 and has just launched Make & Manufacture, which links start-ups, very small businesses, and SMEs that want to produce a small series of objects with experienced industrials who have excess production capacities in France. 

Caroline's idea was born from a simple and frequent observation in the entrepreneurial industry. When a start-up starts to wonder "where can I produce my project?", it will often automatically turn to China. Unfortunately, the French manufacturing industry has a bad rap: factory closings, layoffs, expensive labour costs... However, is full of little jewels, small and medium enterprises that possess real industrial know-how and solid skills. Their problem? They don't use the internet to communicate efficiently, nationally. Even if these companies are well known locally, it is often difficult to find them at the national level. 

Caroline's company has access to an exclusive national network of small and medium factories. "These manufacturers want to help start-ups, very small businesses and SMEs that want to develop a new product and produce it on a small scale, at the right price" she explains. "On a case by case basis, Make & Manufacture will select the factory that best suits the companies needs, in all sectors of activity. And since Make & Manufacture is aware that start-ups have limited means, the company shares the risk by working with a success fee." 

Prior to launching Make & Manufacture, Caroline worked in several positions in international settings, first in sales, then in the sector for which she is the most passionate about: the industrial sector. "I discovered the industrial world when I was working as a management and organisation consultant and later when I was a board member for the Michelin factory. After my first successful entrepreneurship experience, as a consultant, I wanted to keep going, and Make & Manufacture was born."

When you ask her what she gained from her time at KEDGE, Caroline mentions the broad-based education, which better helps her grasp all of the different aspects of entrepreneurship. "In addition to the education, KEDGE was a wonderful human adventure, thanks to its international programme."

Her advice for future entrepreneurs: "Go for it! It is a wonderful adventure and an incredible experience."

For more information:

• www.make-manufacture.fr
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Caroline Parguez (caroline.parguez@make-manufacture.fr - 06 37 29 88 89)

Contractor Ebp Entrepreneurship Start up