Carboman France joins HBH
The HBH group has announced the takeover of the Carboman France group on June 28, 2022. The holding company, already in charge of two composite parts manufacturing companies, Ouest Composites Industries and Baltic Composites, respectively in Auray in Brittany and in Poland, adds to its portfolio the three remaining companies of the Carboman group: Multiplast, Plastinov and Plasteol. The companies SMM Technologies and Décision had already left in 2020 and October 2021.
Departure of Dominique Dubois
The merger follows the desire of Dominique Dubois, president of the Carboman group for 13 years, to sell the company in view of his retirement. He is preparing to take part in the Ocean Globe Race and was therefore able to anticipate this change. Yann Penfornis, Managing Director of Multiplast, remains at the helm of the Vannes-based shipyard
Birth of a European composite specialist
With this merger, a major player is emerging in the composite industry in Europe. The new entity employs 250 people in Europe on 4 sites: 3 in France and 1 in Poland. Its annual turnover is close to 30 Meuros. It masters a wide range of technologies, from mass-produced parts in epoxy glass to custom-made elements in pre-impregnated carbon fabric.
Damien Harlé, co-director of HBH, anticipates very beneficial joint prospects. "There are organizational synergies, of course, but also, and these are the most interesting, on the activity. We have a broader offer for our customers and a possibility of distribution between the different sites according to their activity and skills."
Staying involved in sailing and ocean racing
Ouest Composites, which owned the Pro Marine RIB brand, had finally sold it after the takeover by HBH. Damien Harlé is reassuring about Multiplast's marine business, making a clear distinction between the different contexts. "We are in a logic of continuity with our predecessor, with a strong commitment to ocean racing and continued diversification. The stakes are not at all the same. Pro Marine accounted for less than 5% of Ouest Composites' turnover, while ocean racing accounts for 50% of Multiplast's."
We will continue to see racing yachts at the exit of the port of Vannes.
