Gilles Crofils

Gilles Crofils

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer

Based in Western Europe, I'm a tech enthusiast with a track record of successfully leading digital projects for both local and global companies.1974 Birth.
1984 Delved into coding.
1999 Failed my First Startup in Science Popularization.
2010 Co-founded an IT Services Company in Paris/Beijing.
2017 Led a Transformation Plan for SwitchUp in Berlin.April. 2025 Eager to Build the Next Milestone Together with You.

Additive Manufacturing Innovations

By

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer

Abstract:

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling the creation of objects layer-by-layer from digital models, eliminating the need for tooling and allowing unprecedented design freedom. This technology is widely used in industries like aerospace and automotive to produce lightweight components and rapid prototypes, driving innovation and reducing costs. Directors of Engineering and Technology play a crucial role in integrating additive manufacturing into existing processes and fostering a culture of innovation. Meanwhile, CTOs must embrace additive manufacturing to gain a competitive edge, strategically aligning technology and engineering functions to leverage its transformative potential.

Imagine a conceptual, advanced factory set below an expansive, star-filled night sky, all rendered in many hues of blue. In the nucleus of this facility, a collection of streamlined, metallic 3D printers, softly bathed in light, work synchronously to assemble intricate, aerodynamically-designed parts that exude a sense of aerospace and automobile sophistication. These printers are meticulously creating objects, following a fascinating process of layered fabrication, each sequence reflecting the precision of the digital blueprints from which they draw. Around these machines, humanoid forms representative of engineering and technology leaders move intentionally, their figures interwoven with the mechanical surroundings to reflect their critical roles in incorporating this cutting-edge method into the manufacturing sector. Above all, an abstract, grand figure — a symbol of the top technology executive — appears to be overseeing the operations, orchestrating strategic alignments between technology and engineering, thereby transforming the core of manufacturing. The entire tableau conveys a feeling of seeming levity, representing the design flexibility and cost-efficiency promised by additive manufacturing. This artwork embodies the progressive character of 3D printing, its influence on the industrial sector, and the pioneering individuals nurturing its expansion.
Additive Manufacturing: A Catalyst for Transformation in Technology and Engineering

Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: A New Era of Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is ushering in a new era of manufacturing processes. This technology involves the creation of three-dimensional objects by depositing materials layer-by-layer based on a digital model. Contrasting with traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing builds parts directly from CAD models, enabling unprecedented design freedom, and eliminating the need for tooling.

Advanced Manufacturing Processes and Additive Applications

Advanced manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, play a pivotal role in transforming technology and engineering landscapes. Additive applications span diverse industries, such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer products. For instance, aerospace companies utilize additive manufacturing to produce lightweight components, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Meanwhile, automotive manufacturers leverage this technology to create complex geometries and rapid prototypes, accelerating product development cycles and reducing costs.

Executive Roles in Additive Manufacturing

Directors of Engineering and Directors of Technology are vital in driving additive manufacturing initiatives within their respective organizations. Engineers and technologists must collaborate to integrate additive manufacturing into existing processes, ensuring seamless workflows, and optimizing design and production strategies. As thought leaders, these executives should cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous learning, empowering their teams to explore and adopt new technologies.

The CTO's Perspective: Forefront of Technology Transformation

As a CTO, embracing additive manufacturing technologies is essential in driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage. By fostering a deep understanding of additive applications, executives can strategically align their technology and engineering functions to capitalize on the transformative potential of additive manufacturing. As pioneers in this field, CTOs must collaborate with Directors of Engineering and Directors of Technology, empowering their teams to innovate and excel in this rapidly evolving landscape.

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25 Years in IT: A Journey of Expertise

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My Own Adventures
(Lisbon/Remote)

AI Enthusiast & Explorer
As Head of My Own Adventures, I’ve delved into AI, not just as a hobby but as a full-blown quest. I’ve led ambitious personal projects, challenged the frontiers of my own curiosity, and explored the vast realms of machine learning. No deadlines or stress—just the occasional existential crisis about AI taking over the world.

2017 - 2023

SwitchUp
(Berlin/Remote)

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer
For this rapidly growing startup, established in 2014 and focused on developing a smart assistant for managing energy subscription plans, I led a transformative initiative to shift from a monolithic Rails application to a scalable, high-load architecture based on microservices.
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2010 - 2017

Second Bureau
(Beijing/Paris)

CTO / Managing Director Asia
I played a pivotal role as a CTO and Managing director of this IT Services company, where we specialized in assisting local, state-owned, and international companies in crafting and implementing their digital marketing strategies. I hired and managed a team of 17 engineers.
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SwitchUp Logo

SwitchUp
SwitchUp is dedicated to creating a smart assistant designed to oversee customer energy contracts, consistently searching the market for better offers.

In 2017, I joined the company to lead a transformation plan towards a scalable solution. Since then, the company has grown to manage 200,000 regular customers, with the capacity to optimize up to 30,000 plans each month.Role:
In my role as Hands-On CTO, I:
- Architected a future-proof microservices-based solution.
- Developed and championed a multi-year roadmap for tech development.
- Built and managed a high-performing engineering team.
- Contributed directly to maintaining and evolving the legacy system for optimal performance.Challenges:
Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision was crucial for this rapidly scaling business. Resource constraints demanded strategic prioritization. Addressing urgent requirements like launching new collaborations quickly could compromise long-term architectural stability and scalability, potentially hindering future integration and codebase sustainability.Technologies:
Proficient in Ruby (versions 2 and 3), Ruby on Rails (versions 4 to 7), AWS, Heroku, Redis, Tailwind CSS, JWT, and implementing microservices architectures.

Arik Meyer's Endorsement of Gilles Crofils
Second Bureau Logo

Second Bureau
Second Bureau was a French company that I founded with a partner experienced in the e-retail.
Rooted in agile methods, we assisted our clients in making or optimizing their internet presence - e-commerce, m-commerce and social marketing. Our multicultural teams located in Beijing and Paris supported French companies in their ventures into the Chinese market

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Please be aware that the articles published on this blog are created using artificial intelligence technologies, specifically OpenAI, Gemini and MistralAI, and are meant purely for experimental purposes.These articles do not represent my personal opinions, beliefs, or viewpoints, nor do they reflect the perspectives of any individuals involved in the creation or management of this blog.

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