Imptek Saint-Gobain boosts women's leadership in the construction industry

Quito, February 27, 2025 - Imptek Saint-Gobain, a leading company in waterproofing, road and light construction, has taken a firm step towards the transformation of the construction sector, betting on promoting female leadership. Currently, 23% of its workforce is composed of women, in managerial, middle management, administrative and development-operational management positions.

In the country, the construction sector continues to be one of the most unequal in terms of gender representation. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), 9 out of 10 jobs generated in the sector are occupied by men as of the last quarter of 2024.

The situation is not much different in new emerging sectors, such as technology and innovation positions. Globally, only 28% of the total IT workforce is made up of women, according to Women in Tech Statistics (2023).

Career development and leadership: the case of Eng. Sandra Villacís

Through various initiatives, Imptek Saint-Gobain seeks to reverse conventional gender roles and open new doors for women, both in industrial areas and in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) fields. As a result of this effort, 10% of women in the company hold non-traditional positions, demonstrating Imptek's commitment to promoting gender diversity and creating a more equitable work environment.

A clear example of this is the case of engineer Sandra Villacís. She joined the company more than 10 years ago as an assistant in the quality control area and currently holds the position of R&D and Quality Manager.

Villacís has excelled in technical knowledge and innovative thinking. She is a key part of the innovation processes, the technical positioning of the brand at a regional level and the development of sustainable products, in order for the company to meet its goal of zero emissions by 2050.

As part of its achievements, Imptek has supported the creation of the most modern specialized asphalt laboratory on the Pacific Coast and obtained UL - Underwriters Laboratories certification, making Imptek the first Ecuadorian company to receive this recognition in the "Roofing Systems" category. This certification is granted only to products that meet strict fire safety standards, reducing the risk of damage to buildings.

She is in charge of 7 professionals, men and women. For Villacís, the most important thing in a work team is to achieve a balance of skills and knowledge, where men and women complement each other. In this way, she is committed to the professional growth of her group, based on their achievements and merits.

To excel as a woman in the industry, the manager believes that confidence, authenticity, ethics and transparency are important. "I tell future professionals that they are the owners of their future and have the power to decide how high they can fly. Many times, we set the limits thinking that we can't achieve what we set out to do," says Villacís.

With women like Sandra Villacís, Imptek is committed to female leadership. "Our commitment is to build an inclusive environment where women have equal opportunities to grow and lead, driving innovation and sustainable development of our organization," says Cristina Granda, head of Human Talent.

This vision has allowed the company to be recognized as a "Great Place To Work" organization since 2021. In 2024, it reached 11th place, achieving 95% positive job satisfaction among its employees. These achievements are an example of the impact that the inclusion of more women in the construction sector can have, contributing to the development and strengthening of the industry.

About Imptek:

Imptek-Chova del Ecuador S.A. is an Ecuadorian company of the Saint-Gobain Group with 45 years in the waterproofing, road and light construction market.

Its commitment to quality and innovation, the application of processes, its national and international certifications, its qualified personnel and environmentally responsible practices are some of the reasons why it is part of the 1000 most important companies in Ecuador. Since 2021 and to date it is a Great Place to Work certified company. Imptek has been exporting its products for 30 years to more than 8 countries in Latin America.

• 18 million in sales in 2024
• 100 employees, locations in 1 country
• Committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

For more information about Imptek, visit us: http://www.imptekcorp.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram,YouTube and Tiktok.

About Saint-Gobain:

A world leader in lightweight and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, lightweight construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a process of continuous innovation and deliver sustainability and performance. The Group, which celebrates its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose, "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".

• €47.9 billion in sales in 2023  
• 160,000 employees, presence in 79 countries  
• Committed to achieving zero net carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit us at www.saint-gobain.com.