“I like to see things differently”
Before arriving at the position of General Manager at Galland, Christophe Khouya undertook a series of missions abroad. An operational experience that he now intends to put at the service of Galland to make it an international leader.
What were the highlights of your career before arriving at Galland in mid-January 2021?
I completed my aeronautical and aerospace engineering degree at IPSA with an internship in South Africa at Alstom Alcatel. I think that's where I caught the bug for overseas missions. Then, I worked in the USA as a quality engineer for Siemens and all over Europe for the automotive equipment manufacturer Delphi, as methods manager, then purchasing manager. My career also took me to China for 5 years for the company Fabricon (a subsidiary of INEO), first as general manager of the site, then as business development manager for 2 years at the head of two SMEs: Brovarec Services (electro-spindle specialist) and CNC Services (Fanuc electronic card) which now belong to the Aserti group.
What did these experiences abroad bring you?
Out of 22 years of professional life, I have spent 15 abroad. I speak English and Spanish fluently and I speak a little Chinese. Each time, these experiences have been a source of challenge, sharing and an opportunity for me to enrich myself through contact with other cultures. I like to see things differently. When you are passionate about technology and you claim to manage teams, confronting other points of view is imperative.
What are your ambitions for Galland?
I want to put my international experience at the service of Galland. This SME with high potential has a whole history behind it and has managed to maintain its independence. My mission will be to complete the transition from the artisanal era to the industrial era. To achieve this, I see two axes : one, fundamental, which follows the evolutions of design and choice of materials, the other, more disruptive, which approaches the connected era. We will integrate sensors on our products that will provide data to operators with the aim of real-time network monitoring.
Also on the international front, we will increase our prospecting in countries that have not been explored until now.
The objective is to become number one in Europe and then, why not, leader in the OECD.
Christophe Khouya in brief:
49 years old. Single father.
Born in the Paris region.
His hobbies: Mechanical restoration of motorcycles and vintage cars. Water sports.
His favorite phrase: “We are condemned to success”
