Areas for research and expertise

Groupe SEB defines its key areas for innovation according to major changes within our society. With a view to the long-term, we work to develop extensive technological bricks and adopt new fields upstream (health-beauty-wellbeing, ageing, man/machine interface, digital applications etc.) From a strategic point of view, our approach consists in selecting areas for research and technological applications in connection with products. The aim of this approach is to generate, mainly by discovering new performances, groundbreaking innovations that are often the result of specific technological expertise, such as:

• our knowledge and progress in the field of coatings, whether for cookware (ultra-resistant non-stick coating) or for irons (“ultra-glideable” and self-cleaning soleplates);
• our unique expertise in silkscreen developed by Tefal and for which the brand is renowned worldwide.
• All-Clad’s mastery of the process of bonding enabled it to develop multi-layer utensils (5 layers, stainless steel, aluminium, copper) of an unbeatable quality, including the D5 collection used for induction.
• our expertise in cooking methods (frying, steaming, stewing etc.) and preparing ingredients such as rice, meat or yoghurts;
• our work and progress in acoustics (significant reduction in noise level of vacuum cleaners and fans);
• our know-how in terms of suction capacity (two-tier cyclonic technology and two levels of filtration, greater efficiency leading to lower energy consumption);
• ergonomics is another area for development – silicone gel on grip zones of many products, telescopic handle and wheels to make it easier to move the Liberty Pressing steam generator etc.
• our skill in heating processes and temperature control, both in electric cooking appliances and hair care, with in particular the “Respect” function in hairdryers and straighteners.

These fields of expertise infiltrate all our areas of business across all disciplines.

The Group’s strength lies in its capacity to design groundbreaking innovations that are highly differentiated from our competitors and that create value. With our Actifry deep fryer, Air Force cordless and bagless upright vacuum cleaner, Nutricook pressure cooker, and MultiDélices yoghurt maker, we have revitalised uses and modes of consumption and become market leader in many European countries. At the same time, Supor has reinforced its market share in China by integrating induction systems in its electric pressure cookers and rice cookers, thereby increasing product efficiency and precision.

Adapting to global diversity

Diversity of customs and traditions, particularly culinary ones, is a real opportunity for Groupe SEB. Every day we work on offering a product range that fits in with consumers habits. Because in China they don’t prepare rice in the same way as in Peru and in Turkey the bread isn’t the same as in Russia. This diversity generates value for the Group.

In order to suit local habits, we must sometimes adapt product accessories:

• in the Middle East, for example, the Moulinette has a special blade for chopping spices, widely used in these countries; 
• in Brazil, blenders come with accessories for exotic fruits. 

The Group also develops specific, innovative products to fulfil particular local needs. Examples of this are: 

anti-mosquito fan for hot South American countries
soy milk extractor in China
meat mincer in Russia – a flagship product that responds to requirements of traditional recipes.