Founded in 2010 by Didier Belin, Imprimerie Européenne has developed in the online printing sector thanks to a unique marketplace model. Its concept is based on connecting customers with partner printers, providing direct access to a varied and competitive offering.
Back in 2014, the company initiated a strategic shift by transforming its site into a marketplace enabling real-time comparison of prices and manufacturing lead times from multiple suppliers. This evolution has enabled it to position itself as a player in the online printing market, referencing a multitude of production plants in France and Europe.
An approach based on low margins and heavy dependence on supplier quality. Gradual price erosion, combined with increased competition in the online printing market, has made the model more vulnerable.
Despite periods of strong growth, such as in 2019 when the company announced a 40% increase in orders, heavy investment in technology and communications probably put a strain on liquidity. The arrival of investors and the support of Poitou-Charentes Expansion had helped finance growth, but tight margins and market trends made it harder to maintain equilibrium.
The court's decision in October 2024 to declare the company in receivership leaves suppliers in an uncertain situation. For partner printers, the question of continuity of orders and payments remains a source of concern.
