COMPAGNIE LÉA NATURE BECOMES MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER IN BERDOUES PERFUMES AND COSMETICS GROUP ALONGSIDE ITS CEO SOPHIE BERDOUES

This transaction marks a strategic milestone in the development of the Berdoues Group, while ensuring the continuity of its family identity and historical commitments.

Founded in 1902 in Toulouse, the Berdoues Group is a leading player in the French perfume and cosmetic industry. Led by Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy, a fourth-generation member of the family, the Group has established itself as a creator of strong brand personalities, distributed through both chain retailers (Les Petits Plaisirs, Blondépil) and specialized channels (Berdoues, IKKS Parfums license). Its production site is located in Cugnaux, in the Toulouse region.

Since its takeover by the current CEO in 2011 and with the support of financial partners, the Group has successfully adapted its strategy by combining industrial restructuring, streamlining of its brand portfolio, and investments in logistics. This approach has enabled it to strengthen company fundamentals while preparing for the future.

SHAREHOLDERS: Compagnie Léa Nature pursues its growth strategy

Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy, who retains a significant stake in the company, remains fully committed to the Group’s governance: “This partnership with Compagnie Léa Nature is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate our development while remaining true to our DNA. We share the same vision of a socially responsible company, rooted in the local community, respectful of the environment and focused on the future.”

Charles Kloboukoff, CEO and Founder of Compagnie Léa Nature, confirms: “The merger with the Berdoues Group makes a lot of sense because it combines the activities and expertise of our two companies, which are highly complementary. We will benefit from Berdoues’ expertise in the field of natural fragrances in particular. It is also an opportunity for us to expand our distribution to new channels and to tap into potential growth for natural cosmetics with the Les Petits Plaisirs brand.   We plan on creating new synergies within this wonderful historic company to ensure its sustainability, strengthen its financial stability, and, if possible, accelerate its development. We are contributing our expertise in organic products, and our teams are delighted to be working together. I highly respect the progress made by Sophie and her teams, and we are committed turning the La Rochelle-Toulouse area into a strong hub for the future!”

From left to right: Raphaël Allouch – Deputy CEO for Financial, Legal, and Social Affairs, Compagnie Léa Nature; Sonia de Saint-Ours – Director of Budget Control and Shareholdings, Compagnie Léa Nature; Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy – Chief Executive Officer, Berdoues Group; Charles Kloboukoff – Founder and CEO, Compagnie Léa Nature; Hubert Sizaire – Cabinet Actéo; Richard Madignier – Director of Treasury and Accounting, Compagnie Léa Nature.

Arnaud Despoisse, Director of Investments at Bpifrance Investissement, adds: “We are very proud to have supported Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy and her teams for more than fifteen years. This partnership has enabled us to build a solid, innovative group that remains true to its values. The arrival of Compagnie Léa Nature opens up a promising new phase of growth, perpetuating this wonderful entrepreneurial adventure.”

Grégoire Torralba: “GSO Capital’s involvement alongside its co-investors in the Berdoues Group is a good example of our ability to provide long-term support for family-owned businesses.

This means allowing for the necessary time to get things done, going through growth and diversification together, and promoting intergenerational growth, all within a supportive and facilitating framework.

Warm congratulations to Sophie Berdoues and all the teams for their work; we wish them every success within the Compagnie Léa Nature Group!”

Laurent Sauvade: “This operation will enable the Berdoues Group to move even faster in its development project, given the obvious synergies. The two companies share the same values and have agreed on the development project. Thank you to Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy for facilitating the merger with Compagnie Lea Nature. A chapter in our 20-year history is coming to an end, and it is with some sadness that we say goodbye because it has been such a pleasure to work with the Berdoues Group.”

What is the history of the Berdoues Perfumes and Cosmetics brand ?

For over 100 years, the Berdoues Perfumes and Cosmetics group has been developing its know-how in the design and manufacture of perfumes and cosmetic products, whether organic, natural, or conventional.

The Berdoues Group is a French family-owned SME founded in 1902 by Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy’s great-grandfather. The company is specialized in the creation and manufacture of natural perfumes and cosmetics, combining tradition and innovation to offer high-quality products that reflect the art of perfumery. Thanks to its integrated production chain, it also acts as a subcontractor for other brands. Led by Sophie Berdoues-Coudouy, the Group embodies expertise passed down through several generations.

Based in Cugnaux, in the Toulouse region, the company employs nearly 100 people and total sales amounted to €20 million in 2024. Today, its brand portfolio is available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and perfume stores. This portfolio reflects the Group’s development both in France and internationally.

As a key player in the regional cosmetics industry, the Berdoues Group is committed to socially responsible, local, and accessible manufacturing, thus adding to the fame of Toulouse’s know-how. As an ambassador for the region, it promotes a more grounded, authentic, and sustainable vision of beauty.

For more information, visit: www.groupe-berdoues.com

What is BpiFrance ?

Equity investments are made by Bpifrance Investissement. Bpifrance offers business funding at every step of a company’s development with loans, guarantees, and capital investments. Bpifrance supports these companies’ innovation and international projects. Bpifrance now also offers insurance for their export activities through a wide range of products. Other services available to entrepreneurs include consulting, university training as well as networking and an acceleration program for startups, SMEs, and mid-sized companies. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional offices, entrepreneurs benefit from a local single point of contact that is effective in helping them meet the challenges they face.

For more information, please visit: https://www.bpifrance.com

What is Adviso Partners ?

ADVISO PARTNERS is an independent financial advisory firm whose role is to create value for companies and managing shareholders. It is involved in long-term financing: disposals, acquisitions, business transfers, fundraising, valuations, and capital restructuring. ADVISO PARTNERS has more than 40 employees in its six offices located in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Marseille. Website: https://www.advisopartners.com/fr

What is GSO Capital ?

Grand Sud-Ouest Capital is a regional private equity firm belonging to the Crédit Agricole group. GSO Capital invests equity capital in independent, profitable SMEs with ambitious growth plans located in the Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine regions. GSO Capital supports teams of experienced managers who are open to a capital partnership involving regular and open exchanges of information. Nonetheless, GSO Capital never participates in the management of the companies it supports.

Created by several regional banks in southwestern France, GSO Capital is a real estate investment trust with nearly €200 million in equity capital. GSO Capital has invested in numerous companies over the past 25 years and currently has 70 holdings. The Crédit Agricole group also owns investment vehicles that are subsidiaries of Crédit Agricole’s regional banks, with which GSO Capital regularly collaborates and co-invests. Website: https://www.gsocapital.com/

What is Multicroissance ?

Multicroissance is the private equity firm of Banque Populaire Occitane. Since its creation in 1987, Multicroissance has supported over 250 companies of all sizes and in all sectors of activity. To date, Multicroissance investors have contributed to the natural development of a local partnership with 70 companies in Occitanie, by taking an active shareholder approach without interfering in operational management. Multicroissance invests its own funds to provide long-term support for business projects. Its individual investments range from €1 million to €7 million and are directed towards established companies in the process of development or transfer. Website: https://www.multicroissance.fr/