Founded in 1970 by Michel Renard, Groupe Renard has become a pillar of the Normandy printing industry over the decades. This entrepreneurial project, which started out as a local print shop, rapidly evolved into a national company thanks to strategic investments and targeted acquisitions. In 1990, the creation of a holding company enabled the group to diversify its activities, responding to the growing needs of companies for printing, whether for their administrative requirements or their communication tools.
Read : Groupe Renard: no buyer and an uncertain future
In 2003, the Renard Group distinguished itself by acquiring Imprimerie Bellêmoise, a company established in 1966. This acquisition enriched the group with unique know-how, particularly in the printing of high value-added communication products. This investment marked the Renard Group's desire to expand beyond Normandy and strengthen its competencies.
In an industry undergoing constant change, Groupe Renard has modernized its machinery over the years. In 2019, the company has invested in a 5-color LED UV offset press with UV varnish, as well as in cutting and gluing equipment. However, despite these investments, heightened competition in the printing sector, market fluctuations and the digital transition represented difficult obstacles for the company to overcome.
Governance marked by the absence of succession
The Renard Group has been managed throughout its existence by Michel Renard, now 82. True to his vision of the company and its values, he never wished to organize his succession. This decision has left the group with no real strategy for continuity, which has weighed heavily on the company's ability to reinvent itself in the face of changes in the industry. The absence of a new management team compounded the company's difficulties in anticipating market changes, precipitating its demise.
Liquidation: a major blow to the regional economy
On Monday September 20, 2024, the Commercial Court of Alençon declared the companies Groupe Renard, Renard Production and Imprimerie Bellemoise, as well as Etablissements Vitrenvel, in receivership, putting an end to proceedings that had been in progress since April 29, 2029. This decision marks the end of an era for a company which, for over five decades, has been a key player in the economy of Normandy.
