More than 309 women strengthen the foundations of the UBP Group. Four of them, Nathalie Bergicourt, Rebecca Hyppolite, Martine Hector, and Cindy Calou tell us about their careers.
Nathalie Bergicourt, sales coordinator at Drymix
In 2019, Nathalie was hired by the group as a retail merchandiser. After the initial period, she found herself in the administrative and logistics departments but her interpersonal skills and perseverance did not go unnoticed. She was subsequently offered the position of sales coordinator for Drymix.
There, Nathalie managed the follow-up of orders and deliveries to partner hardware stores and ensured that products were correctly positioned at the points of sale. "Things are changing, but my contacts were not always comfortable talking to a woman. I have gained their trust by listening to them”.
Nathalie also works at Espace Maison where she organises training for employees to familiarise them with the products.
Rebecca Hyppolite, nursery sales officer at Gros Cailloux
Rebecca started her 17-year career with UBP as a fruit and vegetable salesperson at Gros Cailloux. She then moved on to Espace Maison in Tamarin, before joining the sales department of the nursery at Gros Cailloux, responsible for delivering plants to the branches of Espace Maison.
Rebecca’s generosity and down-to-earth approach command the respect of her team, which is mostly male. "I get my hands dirty to check on their working conditions and understand their reality. I know their strengths and weaknesses. That's what helps me keep a good balance between friendship and respect for the hierarchy.”
Martine Hector, sales manager at Espace Maison
Martine's adventure at UBP began in 2005, on the Espace Maison sales team. As the opportunities arose, she found herself, among other roles, in the position of plant manager at Saint Julien, in the accounting department of the parent company, responsible for three Espace Maison shops, project and merchandising manager at headquarters, and finally, commercial director of the retail department for the six Espace Maison branches.
"Over these 16 years, I never stopped learning. The open-mindedness of the company motivates me every day to take on new challenges - like being in charge of employees who have over 10 years’ more experience than I do!”
Cindy Calou, plant manager at UBP
31 years. That's how many years Cindy has been with the UBP group so far. After working in the administration of Flacq Associated Stonemasters (FAST) and in UBP's maintenance workshop, Cindy continued her career with the creditor team at the head office and then as a salesperson. Ten years ago, she took the position of plant manager at Saint Julien, then in 2013, Cindy took on the same role at Terrarock in Fond du Sac. This subsidiary company is the manufacturing plant for building materials, aggregates, and blocks.
"Nothing can stop a woman with ambition. I have earned the respect of my teams by giving them my respect in the first place."
