* ARIANE-FNEGE Award 2010 "Best SME Case"

Originally, transport has always been carried out by several armed men in an armored vehicle to protect them against attacks. In 2003, Valtis is a profitable business but has found itself - like the cash transportation sector as a whole - in a pivotal period filled with uncertainty. Mr Regnier has contributed to the introduction on the market of a new transportation technology developed by Axytrans, in which Mr Regnier also has shares, based on a radically different business model. Axytrans is a system of secure containers transported by unarmed men in unmarked cars. The introduction of this technology has made the company's financial equilibrium fragile as it involves one-off rises in costs without increasing turnover. Cash transportation is considered a sensitive business by the public authorities and the sector is subject to strict legislation. In 2003, although the Axytrans system accounts for almost 40% of the market, it only benefits from special dispensation. On this highly concentrated market, only certain firms have adopted the container system, thereby dividing the industry into two clans who fiercely lobby the Interior Ministry to defend their point of view. Philippe Régnier is unsure: should he commit all his SME's resources to the new technology - which he has personally contributed to developing - or should he remain prudent?