"The future by the name 'tomorrow'"
10 years mc France and mc Italy
In this digital age some of you might now the “throwback” function of Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook & Co. They keep reminding you of posts from your kids or last year’s holiday photos. This time, we are focusing the throwback-lens on two of meteocontrol’s European subsidiaries: France and Italy. It has already been a decade since their foundation. In this period of time, loads have changed. There have not only been changes in the location of the offices and regarding the personnel. Since anniversaries in company histories aren’t an extraordinary occasion, let’s spice this story of growth up and imagine we would accompany the fictional characters of Matteo and Camille on their journey of becoming what they are today…
A missing piece of jigsaw
Matteo and Camille were having a splendid and successful time on the German solar market and felt really comfortable in the company that was bearing the initials of their names – mc. But something was missing. Deep inside, both of them knew, that they would have to change something in their life in order to be fulfilled. It wasn’t something that could be achieved by taking a few days off and enjoy a good coffee in the morning sun, no, a profound change was needed. The change they were looking for, was to broaden their horizon by setting foot in the two rather sunny European countries of France and Italy. Admittedly, the year 2011 was probably not the best way to start anew in a completely different country, considering the European currency-crisis and the world shocked to the bone by the Fukushima catastrophe.
Bumpy beginnings
Even though the starting conditions weren’t ideal, former colleague Michèle Rascher made great efforts to employ and coordinate two teams, some of which are still part of mc France and Italy. You may also remember Adrien Acres from his “solar-powered bike adventure”, who also helped Camille to set foot in France. It wasn’t easy for Matteo alone in Italy either – as we like to say in German: “New beginnings aren’t easy”. After the one year of many “first times”, Camille and Matteo hoped they could sigh with relief and things would get easier now. It was already hard enough for them, originating in a Bavarian company that focused on the German market to choose a life abroad. Unfortunately, they didn’t see the slowdown of the European PV-branch in 2012 and 2013 coming.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Despite those difficulties, giving up was never an option for Matteo and Camille. The two of them seized those first years to make their solutions known and develop relationships and build trust with several partners. In the course of the following years, the entire sector has been growing and the mc-family has been able to follow the market developments with its experience and could develop and propose adapted solutions to facilitate the integration of renewable energies into the grid. The specific demands of Camille’s and Matteo’s markets in France and Italy could be met by the French DEIE- and Italian PPC-solutions.
Over the years, Matteo and Camille attended many events and got their name known on their respective market.
Helping each other grow
Today, meteocontrol wouldn’t feel complete without their strong teams in the partner countries. The Italian team maintains contact with the largest Italian players of investors, EPC, O&M and IPP and made history with almost 2GW under management. This huge achievement is the effort of a team, one that has common objectives in order to head towards constant growth. Giorgio Inforzato, Sales Manager for mc Italy confirms that he and his team are ”planning to shape with innovative ideas the ‘today’ and the future that is called ‘tomorrow’”. The Sales & Marketing Coordinator of mc France, Emilie Cheere, only affirms that their team is constantly growing and relies thanks to meteocontrol’s years of experience in Germany and the other European subsidiaries on a strong reputation.
After all, the colleagues curate intensive contact with the teams behind our fictional characters of Camille and Matteo! Over the years, international visits to the headquarters or vice versa to the subsidiaries have always been something special and worth looking forward to. Besides the work-related contact, it’s also the interpersonal relationships and workshops, events or get-togethers that created a strong bond.
For all that is yet to come
And this is where Camille and Matteo are today: integral part of the European solar market, long-standing partnerships and excellent conditions for further growth. Here our little journey back in time comes to halt as we arrived in the year 2021. Behind the characters of Camille and Matteo are hardworking colleagues and now there is just one thing left to say: thank you. Merci in the name of meteocontrol for being such an integral part of the company. A special Grazie to Tobias Knoblauch, Head of Sales Europe and the already mentioned Giorgio Inforzato and Emilie Cheere for pulling out your virtual photo albums and telling us about your journey. We are all looking forward to many more successful years!
That being said - Joyeux anniversaire and Buon Compleanno!
If you feel inspired by Camille’s and Matteo’s journey and our colleagues’ spirit, take a look at our most recent job openings and don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the mc life.
Don’t miss your chance to meet our colleagues from mc France at the Energaia in Montpellier at their booth in Hall B2, Aisle F, Stand 53 this week from 8th – 9th of December 2021.
If you can’t make it this week, you can get to know them at the BePositive in Lyon at booth 2.1 D20 from the 14th – 16 th of December 2021.