Mayotte: interview with Laurent Janoviez PGE 1988, recently appointed CEO of the Citadelle Group

On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with unprecedented violence, leaving behind massive destruction. Laurent Janoviez, graduate of Grenoble Ecole de Management, shares his experience in managing this crisis.

Crisis Management Amid the Storm

"Talking about the impact of this cyclone is talking about a cataclysm," says Laurent Janoviez, also a former president of the GEM Alumni Association. The damage to the Citadelle Group’s infrastructure was extensive: "Our workshop and store are roofless, and the offices have been destroyed." Despite the scale of the destruction, he notes that the team quickly responded to secure the sites. 

Responsiveness and Local Solidarity

In the face of these material losses, Laurent Janoviez had to implement an emergency strategy to minimize disruptions. "We immediately organized repair management teams and secured the facilities. The solidarity of the people of Mayotte was crucial in managing this crisis," he explains. The group is working to rebuild quickly while maintaining its commitment to the local community. 

Looking Ahead

For Laurent Janoviez, the cyclone represents a challenge but also an opportunity to strengthen the group’s resilience. "We will rebuild, adapt, and face future challenges with determination." After the storm, the primary goal remains clear: restarting operations and supporting Mayotte’s economic recovery. 

Read the full interview

The CITADELLE group currently operates several companies in the automotive and motorcycle sectors across Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Réunion, and Mayotte.

These companies include CCIE (Comptoir Caraïbe d'Importation et d'Exportation, representing TOYOTA, LEXUS, and SUZUKI), SODIVA (distributing CITROEN, DS, FIAT, ALFA ROMEO, and JEEP), GT Distribution (Autodistribution Martinique), PNEUS CASH, PNEUDEAL.COM, Auto Hall Center Distribution Guyane (Sud Motors in Guyana), GSA-PDK, Le Monde de l'Occasion, CARMEN (short- and long-term vehicle rentals), Mécanique Plaisance Services, as well as MMCD in Mayotte, Kaizen Moto in Martinique and Guadeloupe, and Kaizen Motors in Guyana.

The Citadelle Group is recruiting in Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Réunion, Nîmes... : Apply now