ECT projects come to life thanks to the technical expertise and daily commitment of our teams in the field. In the Hauts-de-France region, Franck Hennere plays a central role as embankment manager. Working at several sites in the Hauts-de-France region, he coordinates, anticipates, and ensures the smooth running of the work. Portrait of a man in the field, passionate about transforming sites.
A career forged by experience and a passion for the field
Before joining ECT, Franck spent eight years as a machine operator for Legrand, a contractor for ECT. He was involved in numerous earthworks projects, including some iconic ones such as “L’Œil du Ciel” at the Villeneuve-sous-Dammartin site (77). As an excavator, bulldozer, and dump truck operator, he is skilled at reading plans and managing GPS on machines, and has experience in team coordination.
His last assignment as a contractor took him to the Mazingarbe site (62), where he worked as a bulldozer operator. It was a decisive experience: “What I’ve always liked about ECT is the seriousness and rigor of the projects, the respect for instructions, and the organization. I was given responsibilities and trusted. Joining the teams was a no-brainer. “
A job involving coordination and community outreach
Today, as head of embankments, Franck is a true conductor of site life. Working closely with Dimitri Evanno, the area manager, he is involved in all phases of the project, from start to finish: based on the development plans, he defines the site layout. This includes the location of the reception area, the creation of tracks, the marking of unloading areas, truck traffic safety, and ditch management.
Every day, he anticipates weather conditions. Based on the day’s soil deliveries and the phasing of the work, he plans the days for the bulldozer operators and works with the reception agents.
“Being a backfill manager is a hands-on role. I am on the ground, in contact with the teams, local residents, and communities. I ensure that the site is clean and actively participate in site inspections. I also welcome external contractors, give safety instructions, and organize maintenance work (ditches, tracks, roads, etc.). Nothing is left to chance.”
In Hauts-de-France, Franck currently coordinates two sites. In Bruay-la-Buissière (62), he supervises an urban and landscape redevelopment project on former deconstructed land. He recently recruited a new bulldozer operator, Julien, to strengthen the team. In Sallaumines (62), he is in charge of a development project aimed at securing and improving the site, where he is directly responsible for receiving and excavating the soil.
A demanding daily routine that requires constant adaptation
There are many challenges, particularly related to the weather. “When it rains, we adapt our strategy, change the unloading areas, and create new tracks with rubble to ensure access for trucks. In summer, we take advantage of the dry ground to advance further into the site. Every day is different, so you have to be responsive.”
This flexibility is essential to ensure the continuity of inert soil supplies and the smooth progress of projects. Franck also pays close attention to the quality of the materials received : “If soil does not meet the acceptance criteria, we refuse the truck. And we report the information to the quality department and the account manager so that they can alert the customer. Traceability is fundamental.”
Giving meaning to your work
Participating in the transformation of a site, seeing a piece of land take shape day after day, is what drives Franck. “It’s not a static job ; you have to constantly adapt to the reality on the ground. And when you see a site become a park, an orchard, or an urban forest, you realize that you’ve made a real contribution. It’s truly satisfying.”
He also appreciates the relationship of trust established with the teams. “I was given autonomy and the means to do a good job. And what I like is the teamwork : receptionists, bull operators, surveyors, support services—everyone has their role to play.”
