• The Nantes-based company JVD produces hygiene equipment and in particular hydroalcoholic gel and soap dispensers, in high demand during the health crisis.

  • After a boom in activity, the company wants to continue its momentum by diversifying its activities, particularly towards air quality.

In their new giant warehouse opened a few months ago, products packed as far as the eye can see.

In Rezé, near Nantes, the JVD company is still looking good after a very intense 2020.

Propelled to the forefront during the health crisis, this company, created 40 years ago, for example sold one million hydroalcoholic gel dispensers, compared to 70,000 for a normal year.

“We were in high demand during Covid-19, confirms CEO Thierry Launois, who also had to produce a large number of soap dispensers and paper towels for professionals during this period.

It must be said that we were the only ones in France to manufacture it.

It gave us wings.

“And boosted the turnover, from 30 to 40 million euros in 2020.

But with the health crisis receding, the backlash could have been brutal for JVD, which employs 120 employees, around half of whom are in Rezé.

After a real race for equipment, the market "suddenly stopped" in 2021, victim of the closure for several months of places open to the public.

Except that in parallel, another product, the air purifier, was able to take its first steps, becoming a new strategic axis of the company.

“We had been working on it since 2017 but accelerated to anticipate the launch, recalls the CEO.

We had a great first year, responding to requests from offices or medical practices.

Even if here again, the product is very much associated with Covid-19.

We believe that the issue of indoor air quality goes beyond this question, with all solvents,

particles or pollens that we breathe.

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The return of hand dryers

While the year 2022 could have slightly exceeded the pre-crisis level, JVD now hopes to seduce individuals (to whom it opened the doors this Friday for a guided tour) with its air purifier, using of a whole new network of independent door-to-door sellers.

But whatever the case, the outlook for 2023 still looks very good with the restart of the hotel sector (JVD also supplies hair dryers), coupled with the strong comeback of a product that was less wind in its sails during the Covid.

“Electric hand dryers, which some accused of circulating the air too much, have taken off very strongly due to the increase in the cost of paper towels, observes Thierry Launois.

Many customers, including local authorities, are therefore switching to this system.

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And the gel dispensers have not said their last word, whether there is a new wave of the virus this winter or not.

“We now sell a connected version which allows us to better target needs but also to improve working conditions in the cleaning sector, illustrates the CEO.

Several airports are already equipped with it.

More generally, there is a growing demand for hygiene issues.

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Nantes

Nantes: Soap manufacturers and distributors overwhelmed by orders

Company

Coronavirus: Indoor air quality, an issue for companies

  • Economy

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  • Nantes

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  • Pays de la Loire