Background: A new global organization in the making
When Calderys combined with HarbisonWalker International (HWI) in 2023, it wasn’t just a merger of companies – it was the creation of a new global organization. With around 2,700 connected employees across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, Calderys needed more than operational alignment. It needed a shared digital home.
But there was a problem.
For two years after the combination, Calderys and HWI operated two completely separate intranets. Each platform reflected its legacy organization, not the reality of a newly consolidated global group. Employees couldn’t access each other’s intranet. On top of that, the two entities relied on different collaboration ecosystems – Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 – creating fragmentation, silos, and duplicated content.
The relaunch of the intranet became a strategic opportunity: to build a single, unified digital workplace that would support collaboration, strengthen identity, and enable efficiency across the entire Group.
The challenges: Fragmentation, silos, and a non-negotiable deadline
The starting point was complex.
Two legacy intranets. Two authentication systems. Two collaboration ecosystems. And zero cross-visibility between teams.
The Communications team, based in EMEA and working in Google, couldn’t even access the HWI intranet due to authentication differences. That meant no content harmonization, no visibility, and a high risk of inconsistencies and employee confusion.
At the same time, the intranet relaunch was part of a broader global Collaboration Project, which aimed to standardize tools and complete the migration to Microsoft 365. This meant:
- Migrating all intranet-related content and files from Google to Microsoft
- Redesigning the entire information architecture
- Establishing a new governance model
- Aligning procedures across regions
- Delivering everything by December 2024
The deadline wasn’t flexible. The new intranet had to launch before year-end to align with the consolidation of collaboration tools.
Consolidate two legacy intranets into a single global platform.
Enable collaboration through M365 and unify access.
Support belonging and identity across the Group.
The goals were ambitious: Consolidate two legacy intranets into a single global platform; Enable collaboration through Microsoft 365; Unify access and governance; Deliver a seamless employee experience; Support belonging, clarity, and business continuity.
To achieve this under tight timelines and organizational complexity, Calderys needed a partner who could manage both the technical and cultural transformation. They chose Powell.
The Solution: Introducing “The Hub”
The new intranet, built on SharePoint and powered by Powell Intranet, launched on December 16, 2024. Named “The Hub” following a global employee poll, the platform immediately positioned itself as more than just a website – it became the single source of truth for the entire Group.
✨ Key features of The Hub
- Centralization – Departmental pages, policies, and key applications in one place.
- Social Integration – Viva Engage and LinkedIn feeds directly on the homepage.
- Onboarding – Guided tours for new users to ensure adoption.
- Empowered Governance – Communications leads editorial control while preserving structure.
Today, The Hub: Connects all 2,700 connected employees worldwide; Centralizes departmental pages, policies, key applications, and documents; Hosts all company-wide documents directly on SharePoint; Integrates Viva Engage for internal social engagement; Redirects all internal communications to one central platform.
Powell enabled Calderys to completely restructure content in a clear, intuitive way. Documents were centralized, duplication was reduced, and outdated content was eliminated.
Key features include: LinkedIn integration on the homepage (auto-updating company posts); Customizable alerts; Guided tours for new users; Clear governance model managed by Communications; Designated contributors by function and country.
This marked a fundamental shift. Previously, the HWI legacy intranet was managed by IT, requiring ticket submissions for every content update – with no visibility or editorial control from Communications. The result had been inconsistency, fragmentation, and inefficiency. With Powell Intranet, Communications now leads governance while maintaining editorial consistency – empowering teams while preserving structure.
What makes this project so powerful?
The Hub is powerful because it didn’t just consolidate platforms – it transformed how employees connect and collaborate. It delivered: A unified digital identity; A centralized source of reliable information; Reduced duplication; Stronger cross-regional collaboration; A modern, engaging employee experience.
More importantly, it supported both a technical migration and a cultural transformation. Launched under tight timelines and during a full collaboration tool migration, The Hub became the anchor of the new Calderys identity. It strengthened belonging, broke down silos between legacy organizations, and created a shared digital space for the future. And it’s built to evolve. Its adaptability ensures Calderys can scale, respond to change, and support future initiatives with confidence.
KPIs & early results
Although the intranet launched in December 2024, analytics became available starting April 2025 after implementing Powell Advanced Analytics. The results show steady and meaningful growth:
📊 The key figures
Active users by end of 2025
Increase in page views (214 to 362)
Pages per session (up from 2)
Efficient session duration
Audience & Visibility: The intranet automatically opens as the default homepage for employees; 1,476 advanced/active users recorded at the end of December 2025; Continuous growth in active usage over time.
Engagement: Pages viewed increased from 214 → 362; Pages per session increased from 2 → 3. Clear indication that navigation and structure improvements are working.
Content Interaction: Likes increased from 10 → 18. Stronger appreciation and interaction with content.
Session Duration: Decreased slightly from 9 minutes → 7 minutes. A positive sign that users are finding information faster. These metrics reflect a healthier, more efficient, and more engaging digital workplace.
Voices from the team
“Our new intranet has been a true game changer for the Group. For the first time, everyone shares one intuitive and user-friendly platform – a single source of truth that breaks down silos between regions and legacy organizations.”
— Aurelie de Chassey-Hayot, Global Vice President, Communications & Sustainability, Calderys
“Launching the intranet for our organization not only optimized the way we find, store, and share information – it connected our colleagues around the world following a massive merge.”
— Jameilyara Moore, Corporate Knowledge Management Specialist II
Advice for organizations planning an intranet relaunch
Calderys’ journey offers three critical lessons:
- Invest in understanding your users. Define personas across roles, regions, and use cases. Design for diversity.
- Prepare your technical foundations. Ensure tools like Azure Active Directory are properly structured to enable personalization and seamless functionality from day one.
- Involve IT from the beginning. Communications and IT must work hand in hand, especially during migrations or system consolidations.
Alignment, governance, and early collaboration make all the difference.
Conclusion: One platform. One identity. One digital future.
The Hub is more than a relaunch, it’s a milestone in Calderys’ transformation journey. It replaced fragmentation with clarity. It replaced silos with connection. It replaced duplication with a single source of truth.
By unifying tools, governance, and identity under one intuitive, scalable digital workplace, Calderys has built a foundation for resilience, collaboration, and long-term growth. In a post-merger environment, The Hub didn’t just support change, it enabled it.
About the partner: Blue Soft
Founded in 2008 by Thierry Boccara and Ludovic Hayat, two visionary serial entrepreneurs, Blue Soft has, in just a few years, become a key player in digital services in France and Europe. Boosted by double-digit growth, the group achieved sales of €107 million in 2023, with a target of €120 million in 2024.
This reassuring dynamic is based on a strategy combining organic growth and targeted acquisitions. Since its creation, the structure has integrated 17 expert companies to enrich its service offering. In 2023, it has added 4 new nuggets to its ecosystem in the fields of data, Microsoft technologies and process dematerialization.
Ready to become your own success story?
Trinity Resting
Product Marketing Manager
Product marketing doesn’t have to be all jargon and slides—Trinity’s here to prove it’s about creating human connections. With 5 years in digital marketing, she’s been scaling, building, and transforming product strategies that resonate with real people. At Powell, Trinity ensures the message isn’t just heard, but felt. She’s passionate about helping teams go beyond the office and build lasting relationships. When she’s not crafting strategies, you’ll find her sipping tea (she’s a self-proclaimed tea-aholic) or working as a professional dog sitter—because, let’s be honest, dogs are the ultimate team players.
