First European Crafts Biennial

The 1st European Biennial of Crafts, organized by the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of the Rhône, is an opportunity to exchange with craftsmen and discover the evolution of trades in the years to come.

The themes of innovation and sustainable development have become major concerns in the way we produce and consume. Involved, professionals must innovate on a daily basis to adapt to new consumer expectations.

4 days to meet aware and involved artisans

Naturally inclined to experiment, the craftsman is more responsive than large companies and adapts more quickly. His personal involvement in his business and direct contact with the client obliges him to constantly improve and anticipate changing needs.

In order to support France's leading company in its transformation, “Passionnément Artisans”, the crafts web TV present on the 1st European Crafts Biennial, will devote a first program dedicated to innovation on Thursday, November 20 to 16 p.m.

Another highlight of innovation in craft businesses during the biennial, the awarding of the “Artinov prizes” on Friday, November 21 at 17 pm.

"ARTINOV" aims to promote innovation and technological change in craft businesses by rewarding the adaptability and innovative spirit that characterize them. It allows to reward the four craft companies whose innovation and development capacities have been the most outstanding in the competition categories, namely:

Services
Product
Production process
High Technology and Technology.

In addition to innovation, many artisans integrate sustainable development into their business for commercial purposes, or simply out of ecological sensitivity. Waste elimination, noise reduction, energy savings, etc., are all measures employed by craftsmen to limit their environmental footprint. Some may seem harmless, such as replacing plastic bags with reusable bags, but these initiatives help make these behaviors cleaner for the environment.

More and more companies have gone further by including sustainable development as a first selling point. This is particularly the case of craftsmen labeled "Eco-craftsman" or "Pro energy performance" who propose the construction of ecological and energy-saving buildings. Or even in the graphics industry: the “Imprim'Vert®” brand created by the Chambers of Trades is the world's leading environmental recognition brand intended for printers who carry out concrete actions leading to a reduction in environmental impact.

Another example, the new label “Repair'actors”. It brings together repair craftsmen from different sectors (jewelry, IT, household appliances, etc.) whose know-how helps give a second life to
objects. To obtain the label, professionals sign a charter committing them to properly manage their waste, reduce their energy consumption and save raw materials. "

40 conferences to help business leaders

Based on this observation on the challenges of innovation and sustainable development, several conferences will be organized during the biennial to advise artisans on digital technology, new technologies, financing of innovation or even reducing energy consumption. .

With the support of the Rhône-Alpes region, the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the Espace Numérique Entreprise (ENE), the CMA du Rhône advisers will ensure during the 4 biennial days a mission of advice and support for all new projects.

Several of these “Repair'actors” craftsmen will be present at the 1st European Crafts Biennial and will be gathered around a collective stand of repairers. This will be an opportunity for them to promote their actions to the general public and to inform them about their daily work.

For Maud Terrasse, Environment Project Officer at the Rhône Chamber of Trades and Crafts, the goal of Repair'acteurs is to promote these companies which are sensitive to the ecological problem and which put it forward in their work.

“Several labels have already been awarded to date. Through its promotion, it is indeed on the development of the entire sector that we want to work. Our ambition ? That repair become again a practice considered when a product is damaged and put the repairing craftsmen back at the heart of the local economy that drives the territories. "

Craftsman's testimony: Philippe Gibert - La Clinique de l'Écran Plat

"Do you want a number? I save 80 to 90% of the products that I return to after-sales service! The bottom line: before throwing anything away, people should inquire whether their device is repairable or not. At home, a quote costs 30 euros: it's worth it, isn't it? Televisions, camcorders, home cinema, flat screens,… My job is to prevent… there is waste. If not ? I work with approved people and I carry out a pre-sorting before going to the recycling center: the plastic goes to the plastic, the iron goes to the iron, as a general rule, I keep the electronic card. The catch? screen tiles that are difficult to get rid of. The Repar'actors action? I only think good of it but we need to communicate more. Everything encourages us to buy new products (supermarkets, manufacturers, specialized leaders). The consumer is systematically “oriented”. We have to change mentalities. "

Did you know?

65% of craft businesses innovate regularly,
2/3 of innovations in craftsmanship concern products and services,
1 in 2 artisanal exporters protects its know-how with brands, models or patents.