Thibaut George: a visionary entrepreneur with the realistic ambition of making DREKAN ENERGY the European leader in energy conversion equipment maintenance

Founded in 2013, DREKAN ENERGY is a company that has become a reference in the electromechanical sector in just a few years, particularly in the manufacturing, trading and maintenance of rotating machines. At the head of this success story, Thibaut George, co-founder and CTO, an inspiring and determined leader, who has built a solid group despite economic uncertainties and sectoral upheavals. By bringing together several complementary Business Units under the same banner, he has not only strengthened the independence of DREKAN ENERGY, but has also positioned the company as a key player in the development of innovative solutions for energy conversion systems.

The journey of a builder…

Thibaut Georges did not take a conventional path to create DREKAN . His career began in the 2000s with the creation of a company specializing in the maintenance of wind farms, an experience that he would later describe as decisive in understanding the workings of a booming sector. After selling this company to his partners in 2010, he temporarily withdrew from the business world, a non-compete clause forcing him to reinvent himself.

Rather than slowing down, Thibaut George used this time to acquire new skills. He flew to the United States where he obtained a Master of Science in electrical engineering and physics. Upon his return, he pursued consulting missions in the technical-economic and financial field around energy production facilities, while expanding his academic background with an MBA in high finance obtained from the University of Paris 1 Sorbonne.

It was during this period of introspection and training that the idea of DREKAN was born, a group dedicated to the maintenance of rotating machines, which goes well beyond the wind sector. In 2014, DREKAN was officially born. Ten years later, despite the obstacles linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the war in Ukraine on certain markets, the company is experiencing dazzling growth. Today, DREKAN ENERGY has a turnover of almost 45 million euros, employs more than 200 people and is preparing to become an ETI (Intermediate-Sized Enterprise).

Strategic autonomy through the integration of complementary Business Units

One of the keys to DREKAN's success lies in its ability to structure its activities around Business Units (BU) which work in total synergy and thus allow the company to remain independent in the face of market fluctuations.

The maintenance unit is the historical heart of DREKAN. It is dedicated to the repair and overhaul of engines, alternators and transformers, guaranteeing the reliability of equipment for various industries, such as steel, railways and energy. Faced with a market where small machines are increasingly replaced by low-cost Asian products, DREKAN has refocused its offer on higher power equipment, where maintenance remains essential. The group is gradually specializing in equipment with very high technical added value, such as HTB transformers or large alternators, where replacement times and costs are high. Thanks to its adapted infrastructure, it captures these high value-added markets, thus increasing its profitability.

The Power Rental Business Unit represents a real diversification for DREKAN. Its role: to dedicate itself to the rental and installation of temporary energy production and distribution systems, such as HTA (High Voltage A) or HTB (High Voltage B) transformer stations and generator sets. For example, DREKAN recently installed a 63,000-volt HTB emergency station for STMicroelectronics in Grenoble, a first in Europe. And after having supplied nearly 100 20KV stations for the Paris Olympic Games, DREKAN has positioned itself for the next Games in Milan, where it could win the market for temporary transformer stations.

The engineering unit, integrated into the group in 2021, focuses on the design and reverse engineering of energy conversion equipment. With nearly 30 specialized engineers, DREKAN is able to respond to complex projects, particularly for companies such as Arabelle Solution (EDF) or General Electric, and proudly participates in the design of alternators for future EPR2 nuclear power plants. DREKAN's engineering expertise thus allows the group to position itself on international projects.

Finally, the recently created logistics and heavy lifting subsidiary aims to master the logistics chain linked to the transport of large equipment that it handles, such as transformers. By integrating this skill in-house, DREKAN ensures that it can respond quickly to its customers' emergencies, without depending on external service providers. This logistics capacity strengthens the group's agility, essential for remaining competitive in a sector where operating losses due to breakdowns can cost manufacturers several million euros per hour.

These Business Units are therefore not simple corporate divisions. They embody a global, unified strategy that allows DREKAN to not depend on a single market and to anticipate economic and technological fluctuations. By reorienting its activities towards high value-added equipment and strengthening its international presence, DREKAN has been able to stand out and consolidate its leading position.

Entrepreneurship according to Thibaut George

When asked about the keys to his success, Thibaut George is very clear. According to him, the first rule is not to undertake by default. Entrepreneurship should not be a simple escape from salaried employment. "Being an entrepreneur is above all a state of mind," he explains. "You have to be driven by an idea, a vision, and above all want to provide a solution to a concrete problem. Success is based on conviction and the ability to innovate, and not just on the desire for independence. Strong family support and a good professional network are also essential for success." He encourages entrepreneurs to surround themselves with their loved ones and to rely on unions and business clubs, which offer valuable exchanges of experiences. As for financing, Thibaut George wants to be reassuring: "money is not a major obstacle in France, provided you have a well-prepared, credible and therefore reliable project. » He also warns against pessimistic speeches relayed in the media, which he describes as a "self-fulfilling prophecy", and encourages future entrepreneurs and investors not to be influenced by anxiety-provoking messages. For him, anticipating market developments and promoting local know-how while remaining open to foreign human resources are keys to success in order to stand out in a competitive environment.

Thibaut George and the DREKAN ENERGY group are therefore a model of resilience and strategic vision in a constantly changing sector. Thanks to an organization structured around complementary Business Units and an anticipatory approach, DREKAN ENERGY has established itself as an independent and innovative player.