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Case study

Faurecia (now Forvia)

Leading a global innovation initiative — business growth, product innovations, and a shift toward open innovation and venture investing.

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Business Growth

  • Significant acquisition of major business (GM, Hyundai, PSA, Renault)
  • Dramatic increase in industrial footprint and market share in North America and China
  • Unlocked significant revenue generation (4+ billion)
  • Driven by collaboration and partnership with technology start-ups

Multiple Product Innovations

  • Composite Back — industry’s first composite high-volume seat; reduces weight and thickness by 30%
  • SmartFit — industry’s first connected seat, using smartphones to tailor the perfect individual fit
  • Compliant Shell — JV with Steelcase to integrate Live Back dynamic comfort technology
  • Natural Motion — defined a new category of seat mechanisms and movement
  • Active Wellness — industry’s first biometric seat and closed-loop therapies

Corporate Culture Shift

  • Consumer-driven organization embracing an Open Innovation philosophy
  • Awarded PDMA Outstanding Corporate Innovation
  • Founded Seamless — a cross-industry corporate accelerator
  • Founded Faurecia Ventures — a first-ever $60M strategic venture capital fund; 18 investments made within our leadership
Four-part composite: advanced ergonomic seat structure; SmartFit phone app with tailored fit and therapy options; biometric My Data dashboard with heart rate, breathing, posture, and related metrics; luxury vehicle interior with quilted seating in motion.

Composite program imagery supplied for this case study (Nextworks Studio). It is illustrative of the SmartFit, Active Wellness, and advanced seating themes above and is not a single released marketing asset.