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CONEX WORKS ON EXPORTING ITS SOFTWARE
Dematerialisation has begun
Dematerialisation has begun “With regard to customs clearance or invoice tax exemption, official recognition of paperless documents greatly facilitates trade. Automatic customs clearance 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, zero paper and fewer errors, immediate release of goods: such are the contributions made to dematerialised customs declarations for trade with third countries.” »

CONEX WORKS ON EXPORTING ITS SOFTWARE
CONEX works on exporting its software The complexities of customs are no secret to CONEX. Created in 1985 by Alban Gruson and a computer programmer associate, the company has become the French specialist in customs formalities. Today, the Rumegies (North of France) SME is setting its sights abroad and will soon move to its new Orchies premises

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The complexities of customs are no secret to CONEX. Created in 1985 by Alban Gruson and a computer programmer associate, the company has become the French specialist in customs formalities. Today the Rumegies (North of France) SME is setting its sights abroad and will soon move to its new Orchies premises.

CONEX is one of those discreet regional companies, virtually unknown locally, and yet having an established reputation in its sphere of activity. Very few export companies do not know this SME based in Rumegies, not far from St Amand-les-Eaux. And with good reason: one declaration in two in France is treated by CONEX software. Namely, 20 000 documents per day in normal times, a little less since the beginning of the economic downturn (from 16 000 to 18 000), but the volume remains considerable. “The company was born of the encounter between the new technology of the time and elements of customs administration,” explains Alban GRUSON, founder and CEO of the northern French company. A first software opportunity came in 1988, with the creation of a customs declaration document by the French Customs Administration, followed by other major projects developed in parallel with regulatory modifications. The most recent evolution was in 2007, with the establishment of customs declaration dematerialisation procedures. “We are a cog in the machine. The operator’s software sends us its data, and we organise trips to and from the administration,” continues Alban GRUSON..

The foundation of the CONEX economic model, the company is paid maintenance royalties from its customers for continual regulatory updates. An economic rent? Not really, even if CONEX displays enviable profitability, but not disclosed. The company posted a 2008 turnover of 6 million euros after a 2007 financial year of 7.2 million euros, due largely to regulatory changes.

The time has now come for a new stage in the development of CONEX. The next expansion will be international. This would seem obvious for a company born out of import-export activities. Moreover, it has already begun with the creation of a subsidiary in Belgium two years ago, while another is currently being established in Switzerland. Another near-future prospect: the setting up of a partnership in Germany. At the same time, the company has been busy on a world tour of the biggest international trading countries to find local partners or representatives.

Alban Gruson is also envisaging enlarging the company’s activities, according to the opportunities which present themselves, while staying firmly in the realm of customs. 2003 was marked by the purchase of the small publishing house, ED Editions, in Neuilly-sur-Seine and specialists in customs regulations. This company of 10 employees also serves as a home base in the Parisian region. The rapid expansion of CONEX now sees the company preparing its move to new premises in Orchies. (04/05/09).

OLIVIER DUCUING, Les Echos


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