Editorial note: "This interview, conducted in 2024, bears witness to the foundations laid for the quality process at CITERNEO. Today, this approach continues and is enriched by our current quality manager."
In today's industrial world, where competitiveness is measured as much by product quality as by innovation, some companies stand out for their commitment to excellence.
Citerneo, market leader and specialist in the design and manufacture of water tanks, embodies this commitment with the implementation of rigorous quality control, at every stage of the process.
In an interview, Jonathan Gougeon, Quality Manager at Citerneo, looks back for us on the meaning and commitments of this quality control, where every detail counts. Quality at Citerneo also extends to the implementation of energy and resource management systems that minimize environmental impacts and optimize energy efficiency.
The foundations of quality control at Citerneo
At the heart of Citerneo, the foundations of quality control rest on an integrated philosophy that goes far beyond mere compliance with industry standards.
Citerneo's quality policy
Jonathan Gougeon, as quality manager, paints a picture of the company where every member of the team, from design to production, plays a crucial role in implementing this philosophy.
"Our approach to quality is holistic," explains Jonathan. "It starts from the first sketch of manufacturing plans for a new tank and continues through every stage of its development, until the finished product leaves our factory."
Citerneo's quality policy aims for excellence and continuous improvement. This manifests itself in meticulous attention to the choice of materials, innovation in manufacturing processes, and team training.
Each material used in the manufacture of tanks undergoes rigorous scrutiny, ensuring that it meets not only technical requirements, but also the company's ethical and environmental standards.
"We select our materials based on their performance, durability, and environmental impact," says Jonathan.
This meticulous selection is the first step towards guaranteeing the superior quality of Citerneo products.
An innovative policy of continuous improvement
Quality control at Citerneo is present in the entire process, at every stage, from design to delivery, including support services (order validation, release, shipping,...). It involves all teams, from R&D to production.
"Our quality policy is the foundation on which our credibility rests", explains Jonathan Gougeon.
ISO 9001 certification is not just a label, it symbolizes the company's commitment to satisfying every one of its customers' expectations.
The selection of raw materials plays a crucial role. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of solid, serious partnerships with 90% French suppliers, to guarantee the excellence of the materials used in the composition of the tank fabric. This preliminary stage is fundamental to the final quality of the product. It should be noted that CITERNO flexible tanks are, as such, "ORIGINE FRANCE GARANTIE
In addition, manufacturing processes are regularly reviewed and optimized to improve efficiency and productivity and limit our impact on the environment, ensuring that every tank produced meets the highest quality standards.
"We use computer-assisted quality control systems for maximum precision," adds Jonathan. These systems enable early detection of anomalies, ensuring that non-conforming products are identified and corrected long before they reach the customer.
Each tanker comes with a 10-year warranty, but feedback is unquestionable, proving that the canvas can last 20 years and function completely normally.
A laboratory aging test on the fabrics proves resistance and durability beyond 2000 hours and without significant impact.
For innovation and environmental commitment
Innovation at Citerneo is not limited to meeting technical challenges; it also aims to minimize environmental impact. "We have integrated fabrics with 30% PVC while maintaining optimal mechanical criteria," says Jonathan Gougeon, demonstrating the balance between performance and ecological responsibility.
A responsible innovation approach
This responsible innovation approach reflects a wider trend in the industry, where sustainability is becoming an essential criterion for success. Citerneo is part of this trend, adopting practices that promote waste reduction among other things.
Jonathan emphasizes the importance of this approach: "Our manufacturing process is designed to strive towards zero waste. Every scrap material is reused or recycled, minimizing our impact on the environment. We are also committed to the circular economy. For example, our canvas pallets are taken back by our suppliers. A real win-win partnership! "
This strategy is not limited to waste management; it also encompasses the reuse of cores and the shredding of cardboard paper for packaging, transforming potential waste into useful resources.
This requires not only extensive research and rigorous testing to maintain the durability and strength of our products, but also a commitment to reducing our carbon footprint."
These initiatives reflect the company's commitment to sustainable development.
A reasoned choice and sourcing of suppliers
Citerneo's commitment to the environment goes beyond this. By choosing suppliers who share its vision of sustainability, the company creates an eco-responsible supply chain. "Working with local partners allows us not only to support the local economy, but also to reduce transport distances, thereby reducing our overall carbon footprint," adds Jonathan.
Innovation at Citerneo is therefore closely linked to its environmental commitment. By developing products that reduce the use of harmful materials and optimizing processes to minimize waste, the company shows that it is possible to combine industrial performance with ecological responsibility.
Jonathan concludes, "Our aim is to prove that innovation and respect for the environment can go hand in hand, leading to the creation of products that not only perform well, but are also sustainable and respectful of our planet."
This commitment to responsible innovation positions Citerneo as the leader in its sector.
Customer satisfaction at the heart of the process
Customer satisfaction remains the cornerstone of Citerneo's quality approach.
Citerneo implements satisfaction questionnaires
Satisfaction questionnaires enable us to gather impressions and adjust processes according to feedback.
"Having over 98% satisfied customers confirms us in our choices and methods," confides Jonathan. The release inspection of the finished product, a decisive step before shipment, illustrates the attention paid to tanker conformity linked to customer requirements.
Jonathan Gougeon, emphasizes the vital importance of these elements, which are intrinsically linked to the company's reputation and ongoing success. "Our quality approach doesn't end once the product has been manufactured; it's closely monitored until the end customer confirms their satisfaction," Jonathan stresses. This holistic approach not only ensures that products meet the highest standards, but also guarantees that they precisely meet customer needs and expectations.
A well-honed feedback strategy
At Citerneo, customer feedback is a well-honed process, initiated as soon as the product is delivered. Customers are invited to share their experiences via detailed questionnaires, covering aspects ranging from product quality to delivery efficiency to clarity of installation instructions.
"Feedback is a goldmine for us. It allows us to adjust our processes, improve the training of our teams and fine-tune our products" explains Jonathan with honesty.
This strategy of active feedback helps create a lasting relationship of trust with customers. Citerneo takes every comment seriously, treating feedback not only as an opportunity for improvement, but also as a vehicle for innovation. "Every constructive criticism is an invitation to innovate and surpass ourselves. That's how we've developed some of our most efficient and environmentally-friendly products," says Jonathan.
The company deploys considerable resources to train its employees, continually improve its production processes and invest in research and development. Jonathan insists that "quality at Citerneo isn't just about meeting technical specifications; it's about exceeding expectations, building lasting relationships and making a positive contribution to the environment and society."
Certification and responsible sourcing for composite fabric
The Origine France Garantie label is not just a marketing ploy for Citerneo; it demonstrates the company's commitment to ethical, local sourcing.
Achieving the Origine France Garantie label
"Working with over 90% French suppliers allows us not only to support the local economy, but also to guarantee superior quality," says Jonathan. 90% of our manufacturers are French, and the remaining 10% are European suppliers.
This approach reinforces customer confidence in Citerneo products.
"For Citerneo, achieving the rigorous Origine France Garantie criteria was more than just a formality. It required a thorough review and adaptation of our supply chain, ensuring that over 90% of our suppliers are based in France. This conscious effort to favor the local is not just an ethical choice; it's a strategy that enables us to guarantee superior quality and support the national economy."
OFG certification that extends to the entire manufacturing process
Oriine France Garantie certification goes beyond the simple provenance of materials. It extends to the entire manufacturing process, requiring that every stage, from design to production, is carried out in France. This involves close coordination with local suppliers, but also even more rigorous internal quality control to ensure that all components and materials meet not only industry standards, but also the high expectations of Citerneo and its customers.
"This label is a recognition, it reassures our customers that, by choosing Citerneo, they are supporting not only a company that prioritizes quality, but also a value chain that promotes local employment and know-how. Citerneo is the only manufacturer of flexible tanks to hold the ORIGINE FRANCE GARANTIE label."
Since 2013, the CITERNEO group has also obtained ISO 9001 certification, which enshrines its quality management in the design and manufacture of flexible tanks.
Towards sustainable, innovative quality in flexible tanks
The fabric ranges used, 130e and 140e, represent a revolution in the field of textile membranes for water tanks. Jonathan Gougeon, in discussing these materials, highlights not only their technological advance, but also their contribution to the efficiency and durability of the company's products. "These fabrics have been specially developed to meet demanding specifications, combining superior mechanical strength and reduced environmental impact, such as tear resistance."
He explains.
Within the company, Jonathan runs an R & D laboratory that enables him and his teams to test and iterate new strategies to improve tank manufacturing, the strength of our fabrics and welds.
"We're constantly exploring new ways to improve our tanks, whether through innovative materials or greener, more energy-efficient manufacturing processes and the use of recycled or easily recyclable materials."
Citerneo weed control: an ecological innovation for sustainable protection"
Jonathan Gougeon highlights the example of the innovative fabrics used in the manufacture of tanks, which not only reduce PVC consumption, but also offer increased strength and durability. "These innovations are no accident, but the result of a sustained research and development effort aimed at pushing back the boundaries of what's possible in terms of sustainable production," he says.
The anti-vegetation fabric, called "le desherbache" at Citerneo, represents a significant innovation in the design and functionality of water tanks. This innovation not only stems from a desire to perfect the end product, but also demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability and ease of use for the customer.
Jonathan Gougeon explains, "The desherbache was born from our observation of the challenges faced by our customers. We found that vegetation growth around tanks could not only impede access, but also potentially damage the structure of the tank itself."
Designed to be placed under and around the tank, this special fabric effectively prevents weed growth, while allowing water to seep into the ground. "We chose a material that provides a physical barrier against weeds, without compromising the health of the soil underneath," says Jonathan. This means that Citerneo customers benefit from a doubly advantageous solution: lasting protection of their investment and reduced maintenance of the space surrounding the tank.
The success and effectiveness of the desherbache also lies in its minimal environmental impact. Jonathan points out, "By avoiding the use of chemicals for weed control, our customers keep their grounds more natural and safer for local flora and fauna."
This approach aligns perfectly with Citerneo's sustainability philosophy, proving once again that innovation can and should go hand in hand with respect for the environment. "We are the first manufacturer on the market to offer a strong, durable anti-vegetation fabric."
Energy and resource management: optimization and sustainability
The company is also aware that sustainable innovation is not limited to the products themselves, but also encompasses production processes.
"By integrating circular economy principles into our processes, we aim to reduce our ecological footprint while maintaining high product quality," Jonathan points out. This holistic approach ensures that every tank manufactured by Citerneo is the result of an environmentally friendly process, from design to delivery.
Jonathan discusses the importance of working with partners and research institutions to share knowledge and technologies that can accelerate the shift to more sustainable practices in the industry. "We believe that collaboration is the key to tackling the environmental challenges we face. By sharing our successes and learnings, we can all move towards a more sustainable future," he says.
Conclusion
Citerneo's initiatives, from reducing PVC use to optimizing production processes for zero waste, demonstrate that sustainability can be integrated at every stage of the value chain.
Under the able leadership of Jonathan Gougeon, Citerneo is proving that it is possible to combine industrial performance with sustainable practices.
With its holistic approach to quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation, Citerneo is positioning itself as an ethical and forward-thinking leader in water tank manufacturing. A living testimony showing that excellence in quality, innovation, and sustainability are not only possible, but also essential for future success.
In 2023, the Citerneo Group sold over 6,000 tanks and confirms its position as leader in the flexible tank market..