Maped's continuing growth has been accompanied by a strengthening of its R&D (Research & Development) department and by the creation in 2007 of a Research team dedicated entirely to developing our innovations and to technical forecasting. The aims of the Research Department : - respond to identified expectations - support specific innovation developments - take an advance look at the future ! An additional challenge: the pervading presence of information sources has also caused us to reinforce our monitoring of registrations and publications by using all the means available and by keeping an eye on different industries. The department relies on a network of specialist partners, often at the forefront of identified technologies, to develop new ideas and applications. The complementarity of information sources, entrepreneurial spirit and team spirit which drives this department are the foundations for the development of projects and solutions proposed by the Research department. Several Research products have been realised in concrete form with some people now considering them vital products in our catalogue, and in the majority of cases these benefit from industrial protection (patent). Maped's research falls directly within the scope of the company's development strategy and responds to new constraints in a global market which is continually becoming more competitive.