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During a recent visit to our AL-West environmental laboratory in the Netherlands, Benoist Lasserre, Managing Director, took the time to reflect on the development of AGROLAB and the future of our group. In conversation with Xavier Butteux, our Environment Sales Director for France, the Netherlands and Belgium, he shared his thoughts on growth, innovation and the vision that guides our laboratory organisation into the future.
Why did you join AGROLAB after a career in other international laboratories?
It all started with a meeting — and a mindset. During my first meeting with Paul1, I shared my vision of a laboratory model focused on efficiency and production. Every idea I presented, he responded, ‘We're already doing that.’ At that moment, I realised that AGROLAB was not like other groups — it was the company that shared my industrial and productive vision of the laboratory.
How does AGROLAB differ from other laboratories?
Two key elements.
First, our organisation: highly centralised, standardised, designed to maximise productivity. Many laboratories only standardise their LIMS systems; at AGROLAB,
standardisation is embedded in our processes, culture and way of working.
Second, our customer service. It plays an essential role between the laboratory and the customer, ensuring that we are recognised not only for our analytical quality, but also for our impeccable service.
What is your greatest success at AGROLAB?
Deventer2 — without hesitation. It was a laboratory with little momentum, and we transformed it into a rapidly growing site.
A major factor was the acceptance of risk. To grow, you have to take calculated risks, and I wanted to embed that culture within the group. The Operational Units structure is also a major success — it allows us to pool resources and aim for ambitious and concrete goals together.
Do you have any regrets?
Only one: that our laboratories don't collaborate as much as they could between countries and disciplines. The potential is there — we are still young in our international development. This cooperation will continue to grow stronger.
What are your ambitions for the future?
That we remain at the forefront of market developments, rather than following them. We must continue to grow — in our traditional markets but also in new sectors — and remain the partner of choice for our largest customers. To do this, we not only need a motivated team, but we must also constantly reinvent our value proposition: we must double our efforts in the areas of digitalisation, robotisation and artificial intelligence to maintain our competitive advantage. Let's be ambitious, innovative and always focused on the needs of the market.
Editorial Notes :
1 Paul Wimmer, Founder and CEO of AGROLAB
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