Under the aegis of its shareholder, the German investment fund Mutares, La Rochette Cartonboard, based in Valgelon-La Rochette, Savoie, is pursuing its Vers de Nouveaux Sommets transformation plan, launched in April 2025. The paper mill, which manufactures virgin-fibre containerboard (FBB) for the pharmaceutical, food and premium sectors, has launched several projects to support its growth in regulated markets.
Iso certification and auditing for partnerships "demanding"
The paper mill, which employs 280 people, has taken a major step forward by obtaining a positive opinion for ISO 22000 certification, which focuses on food safety. The Commission's final decision is expected in early 2026. This certification is "inseparable from its future development" stresses management.
At the same time, in November, the Savoy-based company, founded in 1873, successfully completed an audit and visit conducted by sector partnerships for "particularly demanding, multi-country" customers.
Trained employees and nearly 40 new hires by 2025
The transformation was not limited to production lines. In 2025, 113 employees were trained in Lean Management and 182 attended sessions on applicable Good Practices or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (or HACCP, a method for preventing and identifying hazards linked to food hygiene practices).
A total of 125 improvement projects were identified, nearly half of which were proposed directly by our field teams.
In addition, four inter-company working groups have been set up with customers and suppliers.
The year 2026 should confirm this momentum, with a target of 75% of employees involved in continuous improvement projects and at least 40% of team proposals implemented.
Despite a tight job market, La Rochette Cartonboard hired 38 people this year. And the cardboard mill has stepped up its employer branding policy by joining the Alp'paper collective. This Afiifor initiative aims to structure a regional paper and cardboard industry and share best practices in human resources and training.
A French stationer determined to make its mark among Europe's leaders
Through this increase in skills, La Rochette Cartonboard aims to position itself as a French industrial alternative to the major groups mastering the sector's entire production chain.
In a press release, General Manager Béatrice Jacquet outlines La Rochette's ambitions: " Our teams and partners are mobilized to become the high-performance, sustainable partner of major European 'private' accounts, an agile alternative to the consolidation of verticalized groups, and the responsible, invested solution made in France."
The manager emphasizes: "What we have launched in 2025 is more than an industrial plan: it's a collective strategic project, focused on development, performance, action by all and trust. We are now at a crossroads. In 2026, we still have a long way to go before we can mobilize all our teams and stakeholders at our side." But it seems to be well under way.
