Entrepreneur Profile- Eric Durivault
Exclusive Interview with CEO of IDEAL Technologies
44 year-old Eric Durivault, CEO and founder of IDEAL Technologies was one of Veolia Industries' golden boys when he discovered the "Revolution" machine in the United Kingdom. Having had a career in sales, specializing in cheese and commodity trading in cereals, he knew that the machine would change heavy industry and environmental issues.
The beginnings of the IDEAL Technologies
At first, the "Revolution" machine was not quite perfected and was still in testing at the time. Since starting up his company, based in France, in March 2003, Eric has worked with French and British engineers, to finally perfect and build a machine adapted to all types of heavy industry, refining the technical recycling mechanics of the machine. The machine is now entirely built in France.
What the company offers
The company offers a whole range of machines of different capacities, each to suit the needs of every factory or industry, all working on the same principles of treating industrial waste, removing all liquids and moisture from matter thus rendering a recycling of the waste, now separated into essential parts. A new machine, the Essor 150 Process, with a debit capacity of 1 to 4m3/h has just been inaugurated this summer.
IDEAL Technologies has now worked towards a 2,5 million euros investment, and the once specialist in agro-alimentary industry is a successful entrepreneur.
About Eric Durivault
Eric Durivault holds an Executive MBA, and a BSc in engineering, and although he has lived and worked in various parts of the world such as the United States, the United Kingdom, South America, finally decided to return to his homeland of France to create his own company.
In this 2-part interview, he talks about being an entrepreneur, the beginnings of his company and the hardships, and his views of the future.
The interview with Eric Durivault
Hello Eric, what prompted you to become an entrepreneur?
" It's about as natural as making babies!" he says.
When did you start thinking about becoming an entrepreneur?
"When I left Veolia, I was faced with 2 roads. One of them was called, Let's Not Do the Same Thing Again!"
What was it like at the beginning? How did you start? What were the difficulties you faced?
"First of all, I had never sold any kind of mechanical equipment. Up until then, I had only ever worked in the food industry. Secondly, I had never actually manufactured any kind of machine. It was a very tough learning process, that had to be learned as I went along. I had to stand strong and directly face all the mistakes alone. The biggest impact is on your own ego. It's a humbling and yet absolutely exciting and fascinating process. You feel completely alone."
After 6 years of being and entrepreneur, Eric Durivault is now more experienced and more surrounded. He works extensively through France, Europe and is starting to open business internationally.
In the second part of the series, Eric Durivault speaks to us about being an entrepreneur now, his thoughts on industry and finance, and his views of the future.
Eric Durivault
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