Powering growth through innovation

How AGC Plasma and BDO mapped a sustainable growth trajectory across EU and US

AGC Plasma Technology Solutions stands at the cutting edge of low-pressure plasma coating technology. With breakthrough applications spanning from solar glass to battery components, they've built their reputation on precision and innovation. Yet every specialised business faces a pivotal moment: how do you transform technical expertise into sustainable business growth?
 
For AGC Plasma, the challenge was clear. With a business model centred around periodical high-value projects, they needed to reduce revenue variability while ambitiously planning to double their turnover within five years. This would require strategic expansion into new markets and territories - specifically in Europe and the United States.

Finding clarity in complexity

As a specialised division within the global AGC Glass Europe Group, AGC Plasma began as a creator of coating machines for glass applications. Today, their technology extends far beyond glass -delivering advanced coating solutions for optical applications, plastics, batteries, and even textiles.

Our technology creates environmentally friendly solutions without toxic gases, but we needed to better structure our organisation to handle an increasing number of projects while remaining competitive against lower-cost manufacturers.
Hugues WiameGeneral Manager at AGC Plasma Technology Solutions

The leadership team knew they needed a strategic roadmap that was both ambitious and attainable. They turned to BDO to help craft a growth plan that would convince AGC Glass Europe's CEO to invest in their expansion.

The path to a strategic roadmap

BDO's approach combined deep market understanding with practical financial planning. Francesco Antonucci, Partner at BDO Advisory Strategy services, led the team that collaborated closely with AGC Plasma management through several key phases:

  • Value chain analysis – observing the forces affecting the business and identifying the first strategic assets.
  • Business model assessment – uncovering the "crown jewels" that could leverage a new strategy and detecting potential alternative/complementary business models.
  • Market opportunity valuation – assessing (qualitatively and quantitatively) the target markets and the driving forces, and constraints in both Europe and United States Regions.
  • Financial planning – the business case and scenarios to test the future growth strategy.
  • Strategic roadmap development – building a clear trajectory for sustainable growth.
The BDO team brought a perfect balance of qualitative understanding and quantitative analysis. Their consultants clearly understood our markets and spoke from experience, not theory. Francesco was exceptionally proactive, bringing innovative proposals and referring to concrete examples from previous projects.
Hugues WiameGeneral Manager at AGC Plasma Technology Solutions

From strategy to action

The collaborative process yielded tangible results that AGC Plasma is now implementing:

  1. A structured recruitment plan, starting with a new position focused on European growth before expanding to the U.S. market
  2. A targeted approach to known markets to generate immediate cash flow while building toward longer-term goals
  3. A clear expansion strategy for the U.S., leveraging their existing small laboratory presence to tap into this major untapped market
  4. A refined understanding of their competitive advantages and value differentiators
BDO helped us craft a trajectory for growth that balances ambition with realism. Their flexibility in tailoring their approach to our specific needs was a major advantage. Now it's up to us to follow through on this roadmap.
Hugues WiameGeneral Manager at AGC Plasma Technology Solutions

A pathway to self-sustainability

What made this partnership particularly valuable was BDO's multidisciplinary approach. By combining expertise from Management Consulting, Financial services, and international consulting teams, BDO delivered a tailored growth strategy that addresses both immediate opportunities and long-term sustainability.

For AGC Plasma, the result isn't just a plan - it's a clear path forward. The roadmap balances technical innovation with commercial viability, helping transform specialised expertise into sustainable business growth. This collaboration demonstrates how BDO's strategic consultancy goes beyond analysis to deliver practical implementation plans for specialised businesses with global ambitions.

Looking to redefine your business strategy and chart a course for sustainable growth?

Contact Francesco Antonucci, Partner at BDO Belgium, to explore how BDO can help your specialised business reach new heights.