In all Indutrade has some 160 subsidiaries. The companies vary in size, but typically have 15–40 employees, most of whom are sales engineers or technical consultants. Most of the companies have built up enduring, close relationships with their customers over several decades and have gradually become specialists in their respective technology areas. The business of the agency companies often revolves around a couple of strong, well established suppliers, backed up by a number of smaller agencies. Companies with own manufacturing are also characterised by enduring relationships with customers and subcontractors, with sharp focus on a limited number of product lines.
Continuous competence development
Serving as a technical problem-solver for customers is one of the most important measures of value-added that Indutrade contributes. This ability is based in large part on the employees' business and technical competence. Consequently, the Group strongly emphasises continuous competence development. Business competence is strengthened through leadership development and sales training, among other things. Technical training is conducted primarily under the direction of suppliers.
Indutrade had an average of 3,420 employees during the year of 2010, of whom 28% were women and 72% men.
Focus on high quality
Indutrade’s objective is that the products and services it provides should meet or exceed customer expectations. Consequently, high quality always has top priority. Customers should equate Indutrade with quality products, delivery reliability, excellent technical support and a positive, professional attitude.
Quality assurance work covers products and processes in which all aspects (from purchasing and inventory routines to delivered products and technical solutions) are to maintain the highest possible standards of quality. Quality systems are characterised by precision, long-term focus and continuous improvement with a distinct customer focus.
Upon initiating co-operation with a new supplier, major emphasis is put on evaluating quality aspects.
Thirty-five of the Group’s subsidiaries are certified according to ISO 9001 and/or QS 9000. All ISO-certified companies have quantifiable goals (such as delivery deadlines to customers and number of returns) that are continuously compared with results.
Subsidiaries seek certification only when it is deemed necessary for market reasons. However, even subsidiaries that are not certified conduct quality assurance work focused on continuous improvement.