Socomore Group
French company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Socomore Group is a French company founded in 1972 by Jean Bossuet with its headquarters in Vannes, Morbihan.[1][2]
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemical products manufacturing for the treatment of metal surfaces and composite materials |
| Founder | Jean Bossuet |
| Headquarters | , France |
| Website | socomore |
History
Socomore was founded in 1972 in Vannes, Morbihan, by Jean Bossuet. Initially, the company began by manufacturing detergents for cleaning Paris Métro tunnels.[1][2] In 1998, Frédéric Lescure acquired the company and created the Méaban Group, which was rebranded later to Socomore Group.[3] In 2012, Socomore opened its factory in Elven.[4][5]
In 2015, the company founded Socomore Ventures, an investment fund for startups and technologies.[6] Socomore Ventures has invested in companies such as Centiloc,[7] Isybot, Waoup,[8] Bouge ta Boite,[9] and Teratonics.[6][10] In July 2018, Socomore raised €53.5 million through a fundraising round,[11] supported by CM-CIC Investissement, RAISE, ACE Management, and Bpifrance.[12][13]
In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Socomore launched Socosafe, a safety kit for businesses,[14] and opened its new factory in Rhome, Texas.[15] In December 2022, Socomore started a partnership with Molecular Plasma Group (MPG) for the commercialization of MPG technology in the aeronautics, defense, and railway sectors.[16]
In March 2023, Socomore signed a collaboration agreement with Rescoll to develop and market intumescent paints and thermal barriers designed by Rescoll for the aeronautical industry,[17] and in May, Socomore and Aerowash entered into an agreement to develop an aircraft exterior cleaning solution, combining Aerowash's AW3 washing robot with Socomore's products.[18]
In November 2024, Socomore signed a licensing agreement with 3CHEM Corporation for the manufacturing and distribution of 3CHEM products across the EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and India regions.[19][20] During the same month, the company entered into a partnership with the Hontek Corporation to develop anti-corrosion coatings for wind power.[21][22] In the same month, Olnica which was acquired by Socomore in April 2022, launched the TagMPR project in partnership with Morbihan-based Elixance Polymers and the ComposiTIC research laboratory.[23][24]
Acquisitions and subsidiaries
In 2011, Socomore acquired the Canadian company MagChem which produces cleaning products for aerospace engine parts.[25] In the following year, Socomore bought out its partner Babbco, a French company that produces equipment for the non-destructive testing of metal parts via magnetic particle inspection or penetrant testing.[26][27]
In 2013, Socomore acquired Dyso and Dynamold, which manufactures aeronautic cleaning solvents[28] and acquired the PT Technologies factory in Cork, Ireland, which produces cleaning wipes for the aeronautics and energy sectors.[29]
In August 2016, Socomore acquired the Aeroglaze and Chemglaze brands from the North American group Lord Corporation, and obtained the global license for Lord UltraConductive, an anti-lightning product for aircraft.[30][31] The following year, the company acquired Elixair, a UK-based company specializing in scrapers and accessories for removing excess sealants from aircraft part assemblies.[32][33] In January 2018, Socomore announced the acquisition of Sea to Sky Innovations, a Canadian company based in Burnaby that designs water-based paint strippers and surface treatments.[34][35] In April 2019, Socomore acquired the aeronautical coatings business of the French group, Mäder.[36][37]
In 2021, Socomore acquired the Salveco laboratory, which produces plant-based and biodegradable disinfection products.[38][39] The company also acquired Products Techniques (PTI) coatings and solvents activities.[40] In April 2022, Socomore acquired Olnica, a company specialized in product traceability.[41][42]
In June 2023, Socomore announced an investment of €12 million in its industrial unit in Elven,[43][44] with €5 million dedicated to a new paint production unit for aeronautics.[45] In September, Socomore increased its stake in Flamemaster from 23% to 75%.[46][47][48] In May 2024, Socomore announced the acquisition of Microset Products,[49] a company based in Hinckley specialized in non-destructive testing.[50]
Socomore Ventures has invested in Centiloc,[51] Isybot, Waoup,[52] Bouge ta Boite,[53] and Teratonics.[6][54]