Interview with Mr Daniel Harari

Face2Face

Mr Daniel Harari
CEO
Lectra

Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions (software, cutting systems and associated services) dedicated to industrial users of textiles and leather. With a worldwide staff Lectra accompanies customers evolving around the world in diversified market sectors such as fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and interiors, airbags), furniture, aeronautical and marine. The company embarked €217 million as revenues for the year 2007. Aged 54, Mr Daniel Harari is the CEO on the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee at Lectra’s Management Group. Mr Harari has been the Director (since 1981) and CEO (since 1986) of Compagnie Financière du Scribe, a venture capital firm specializing in technology companies founded by his brother André Harari, of which they were the main stockholders until its merger with Lectra on April 30, 1998. Mr Harari began his corporate career as Vice President of la Société d'Etudes et de Gestion Financière Meeschaert, an asset management company (Paris, 1980-1983). He was then the Chairman and CEO of La Solution Informatique (1984-1990), a PC distribution and services company, and of Interleaf France (1986-1989), a subsidiary of the US Software Publisher, both of which he founded in Paris-France. Mr Harari is a graduate of the École Polytechnique (Paris) and the Institut Supérieur des Affaires (Paris). He has also been the student of the Stanford Business School MBA program, Palo Alto, CA, United States. Speaking to Face2Face team, Mr Daniel Harari presents his say on the revolution in fashion and apparel markets conditions and the role of integrated technology solutions in these markets.

Working closely with Fashion, Apparel and Textiles industries for over three decades, how does Lectra associate itself with these industries, today?

We are very close to these industries. Over the years we have delivered many innovations that changed product design, development and manufacturing. We have not become number one by chance. We are also one of the few companies present worldwide and therefore, a good observer of the market’s characteristics and trends. With over 17,000 customers, we have built very strong relationships with key operators in the industry, as well as with other small and medium sized companies.

What makes Lectra’s services and products to be peers’ envy and user’s pride?

Our software is used by 100% of French and 90% of Italian luxury goods companies- everybody has real admiration for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada or Christian Dior, as well as the largest fashion manufacturers and retailers in the world. The knowledge of our team brings major process improvements.

CAD/CAM capabilities have emerged from being standalone business processes to become an integrated part of the entire supply chain. What other key trends do you see in technology adaptation and business processes to be evolving in coming decade?

Most of the technologies that emerged on the market in the last 5 years are used by only a few percent of companies. The biggest revolution of the next decade will be the spread of these technologies, intensification of the use of design, 3D CAD software and PLM. Certainly, new technologies will emerge but we will be able to measure their full impact in the next 10 years

Published on: 03/03/2008

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.

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