dss+ Company Profile

Background

dss+ is a global operations management consulting firm specializing in operational excellence, safety management, and sustainability across various industrial sectors. Established in 1968 as the safety and operations consulting arm of DuPont, the firm became an independent entity in 2019, rebranding from DuPont Sustainable Solutions to dss+ in 2022 to reflect its expanded capabilities. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, dss+ employs approximately 1,900 professionals worldwide. The company's mission is to help organizations protect their people, improve operational performance, and create sustainable futures through consulting services that emphasize leadership coaching, risk management, and performance transformation.

Key Strategic Focus

dss+ focuses on three core areas:

Protect: Safeguarding people, assets, the environment, and organizational competitiveness.

Transform: Driving organizational change to enhance relevance in the market, industry, and society.

Sustain: Ensuring lasting performance improvements through culture, capability building, and digital enablement.

The firm specializes in operational excellence, safety management, risk management, and sustainability solutions, serving industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, mining, utilities, manufacturing, and transportation.

Financials and Funding

In 2019, dss+ was acquired by Gyrus Capital, a Swiss private equity firm, facilitating its transition to an independent global operations consulting firm. In 2023, Gyrus Capital sold a majority stake in dss+ to Inflexion Private Equity, while retaining a minority stake to support the company's continued growth. This strategic partnership has enabled dss+ to expand its capabilities and geographic presence through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Pipeline Development

dss+ has enhanced its service offerings through several strategic acquisitions:

Lodestone Partners (2020): A Toronto-based operations consultancy focused on mining and resources, expanding dss+'s presence in Canada and the mining industry.

KKS Advisors (2021): A Boston-based ESG consulting firm, enhancing dss+'s capabilities in environmental, social, and governance strategy and sustainable finance.

Sofies Group (2021): A Swiss sustainability consulting firm specializing in sustainability project management and environmental innovation.

ETSCAF (2024): A French consultancy specializing in workplace safety services, strengthening dss+'s presence in Europe and adding expertise in industrial safety training and culture change.

ADS System Safety Consulting (2023): A U.S.-based firm known for risk-based system safety and security consulting in sectors like public transportation, aerospace, and defense, expanding dss+'s technical safety engineering capabilities.

Technological Platform and Innovation

dss+ employs a range of proprietary methodologies and digital tools to deliver its services:

Bradley Curve™: A proprietary model that charts the progression of organizational safety culture from reactive to interdependent, guiding organizations toward a culture of safety ownership.

dss+ eLearning Suite: A comprehensive digital learning platform offering over 800 training modules in multiple languages, enabling consistent training across large, distributed workforces.

UTrakk: A proprietary digital platform acquired from Proaction International, enhancing dss+'s capabilities in operational performance management and leadership coaching.

Leadership Team

Davide Vassallo – Chief Executive Officer: Since the 2019 spin-off, Vassallo has led dss+ through its transition to independence and subsequent growth, emphasizing purpose-driven consulting and overseeing multiple acquisitions.

Guy Semmens – Chairman: Co-founder of Gyrus Capital, Semmens has provided strategic guidance to dss+ during its growth phase.

Srinivasan Ramabhadran – Regional Managing Director, Asia-Pacific: An experienced consultant leading dss+'s operations in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the importance of emerging markets in the company's strategy.

Gisele Cabrini – Global Head of Power & Utilities: Appointed in 2021, Cabrini leads dss+'s initiatives in the power and utilities sector, tailoring services to specific industry needs.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global consulting market is characterized by increasing demand for operational excellence, safety management, and sustainability solutions. Companies are seeking partners to help navigate complex risk landscapes and implement effective safety management practices.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the operational consulting and safety management sector include:

McKinsey & Company: Offers a broad range of consulting services, including operations and risk management.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Provides services in operational efficiency and sustainability.

Accenture: Delivers comprehensive consulting services with a focus on digital transformation and operational excellence.

dss+ differentiates itself through its specialized focus on operational risk management, safety, and sustainability, leveraging proprietary methodologies and a people-centered approach.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

dss+ has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its service offerings:

Inflexion Private Equity (2023): Acquired a majority stake in dss+, providing capital and strategic support for further expansion.

Gyrus Capital (2019): Facilitated dss+'s transition to an independent firm, enabling growth through strategic acquisitions.

Operational Insights

dss+ operates in a competitive landscape, emphasizing its specialized expertise in operational risk management, safety, and sustainability to maintain a distinct market position. The company's strategic acquisitions and partnerships have bolstered its capabilities and geographic reach, enhancing its competitive advantages.