VMG Soromap acquires Unisails and RCX
The Charente-based company VMG Soromap, part of the Soromap group, dedicated to rigging, sailmaking and the distribution of hardware, has acquired the Unisails group. The latter includes the companies RCX, based in La Rochelle, specialized in the cutting of technical fabrics, in particular for sailmaking, and Unisails, based in Nantes, distributor of the British brand of fittings and fabrics Bainbridge for France (Metropolitan France and West Indies), Spain, Portugal, North Africa and Switzerland.
Strengthen the sailmaking and saddlery division
With the distribution of the Bainbridge brand, Soromap strengthens its position in the field of fittings, sails and upholstery. William Thomas, brand manager, is delighted with the opportunity. "Bainbridge has been a strong international player for a long time, especially in sail and saddlery. Mr. Le Doyen, who was retiring, proposed a merger. He received several takeover proposals and our project was the closest to the strategy he wanted for the group. We have an identical operation with distribution and a fabric cutting service. This will strengthen our services and our product range."
The commercial advantage is also geographical by strengthening the position of the Soromap group in Southern Europe. "Our goal is to become the leader in hardware for sailmakers and saddlers. We will continue to distribute other brands like Sunbrella or Serge Ferrari as we do today." says William Thomas.
Progressive integration into VMG Soromap
There will be no change for the customers of RCX and Unisails, whose brands will remain and whose contact persons will remain the same in the first instance. "We will proceed step by step to a recentralization in Rochefort with the rest of the Soromap group to be more efficient in terms of stock and logistics" says William Thomas for the longer term.
