Industrial distribution students gain global perspective in Paris
Students examined international distribution, manufacturing and business operations through interactions with industry leaders and universities across France.
(Left to right) Dr. Maria Claudia Alves, Dr. Maria Rouziou, Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas and Professor Evan Vestal at Arts et Métiers ParisTech.
Industrial distribution students from Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering explored how global companies manage supply chains, manufacturing practices and customer relationships through an immersive study abroad program in France. The experience connected classroom concepts to real-world applications while exposing students to the international approaches and technologies influencing modern distribution.
Led by Dr. Maria Rouziou and Evan Vestal of the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, the trip provided access to international companies and universities, giving the group a broad view of how organizations operate in France and allowing them to compare U.S. and European approaches.
Day one included a visit to the Grenoble School of Management, where students participated in roundtable discussions with representatives from Michelin, Infor, Gartner and HeadMind Partners. Conversations focused on business development, technology and the evolving competencies needed for professionals working in a global marketplace.
“Hearing directly from international companies reinforced the importance of adapting, collaborating and understanding diverse business environments,” said Vestal. “These are skills that our students have honed through the industrial distribution curriculum.”
At BETC, a leading creative agency in Paris, students gained insight into the role of marketing and customer engagement by examining campaigns developed for luxury brands, including Lacoste, Evian and Citroën.
The group saw innovation and operational practices in action during tours of Schneider Electric and Saint-Gobain. At Schneider Electric’s Paris headquarters, students discovered how the company is developing solutions to improve energy efficiency and support industries such as data centers. Saint-Gobain’s distribution center provided an inside look at an expansive logistics operation, including automated, semi-automated and manual picking systems, pallet preparation and transportation processes.
Students witnessed another complex distribution operation during a 4 a.m. stop at Rungis International Market, one of the world’s largest wholesale food markets. The visit highlighted the coordination and precision required to move products through a fast-paced supply chain.
At HEC Paris, one of the world’s leading business schools, students explored topics including ethical artificial intelligence, data management and business leadership. They also attended a seminar on governance in the digital era, a presentation typically reserved for CEOs and senior executives.
While at Arts et Métiers ParisTech, the cohort had a surprise visit with Texas A&M College of Engineering leadership, including Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas and Dr. Maria Claudia Alves. Students asked questions, learned about international partnerships and saw firsthand how Texas A&M Engineering connects with institutions and industries globally.
The experience also included Station F, the world’s largest startup campus, where discussions focused on entrepreneurship and the people skills needed to bring ideas to market. To put theory into practice, the students participated in sales role-play scenarios.
“I could not be prouder of how confidently, creatively and professionally they responded to this challenge,” said Rouziou. “Our students demonstrated their strength in communication, persuasion and relationship-building, capabilities essential in every business environment.”
The students returned with a broader perspective on global business, a deeper appreciation for international collaboration and a clearer understanding of how industrial distribution links businesses, technologies and people around the world. They shared that the program helped bring classroom concepts to life while preparing them for careers in an increasingly interdependent world.
“Participating in the study abroad trip was one of the most formative experiences I’ve had at Texas A&M,” said Jacob Merkle ’26. “As a senior graduating in December, I was able to connect everything I’ve learned in the industrial distribution program to what I saw in action in France.”
