What CEPOVETT Group does

CEPOVETT Group is a French family-controlled industrial manufacturer of professional clothing headquartered in Gleizé, near Villefranche-sur-Saône, founded in 1948 by the grandfather of current CEO Nicolas Sandjian. The group operates four complementary brands — Lafont (premium workwear, since 1844, acquired 2017), Cepovett Safety (PPE and high-visibility protective wear), Ox'bridge Paris (institutional and corporate key-account apparel), and Cepovett Technologies (custom technical products) — producing over 10 million garments per year. Integrated manufacturing spans France (dyeing at Chessy-les-Mines), Tunisia (VTL with 6,000 workers producing knitwear, dyeing, printing, finishing), and Madagascar (EPSILON subsidiary with 800 KWp solar capacity covering ~40% of energy needs), with logistics centers in Gleizé and Saint Quentin totaling 57,000 m3 of storage and enabling 24-48 hour delivery to 150+ countries.

The company serves a horizontal customer base ranging from individual craftsmen purchasing single items through French distributors to large CAC 40 corporations (SNCF, Air France, Accor, Vinci, Sodexo, Michelin, Eurostar) and government entities (City of Paris). Its go-to-market combines a sales-led model with field advisers, a distributor network for SMBs, direct enterprise sales with custom webshop platforms integrated to customer HR databases, individual measuring programs, and the 2025-launched X-PERIENCE TOUR mobile showroom. Revenue streams include one-time garment sales (Lafont, Cepovett Safety, Ox'bridge, Cepovett Technologies lines), professional services (customized webshops, call centers, measuring, alterations), and managed services (Recyclovett textile recycling for French regulatory compliance).

CEPOVETT's technology stack includes a proprietary WMS for optimized order processing, ERP systems (Iris, OCEA), a customized enterprise webshop platform, an electronic size guide, 3D product visualization tools, and an ADEME-based carbon footprint calculator for lifecycle analysis — though no AI/ML capabilities are explicitly disclosed. Recent strategic priorities emphasize circular economy initiatives, including a 2023 re-use platform (Air France as pioneer customer), the 2025 Recyclovett service, and a strategic collaboration with RECYC'ELIT on patented molecular recycling of polyester textiles. The group holds ISO 9001 certification, C3D membership, and UN Global Compact ambassador status, with revenue exceeding €100 million annually.

Name

CEPOVETT Group

Legal name

CEPOVETT SAS

Website

https://cepovett.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CEPOVETT Group is a French family-owned professional workwear manufacturer founded in 1948, producing 10+ million garments annually through four brands (Lafont, Cepovett Safety, Ox'bridge Paris, Cepovett Technologies), serving craftsmen to CAC 40 enterprises across 150+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Gleizé

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Clothing Manufacturing and Sales: CEPOVETT Group generates revenue through the design, manufacture, and sale of professional workwear, PPE clothing, institutional clothing, and image uniforms. The company operates through multiple brands (Lafont, Cepovett Safety, Ox'bridge Paris, Cepovett Technologies) serving customers from individual craftsmen to large CAC 40 corporations.
2. Digital Services and Custom Solutions: Revenue from customized webshop development and integration, personalized call center services, individual measuring programs, clothing alterations, and exclusive communication tools (photo shoots, catalogues, lookbooks).
3. Textile Recycling Services (Recyclovett): Turnkey textile recycling solutions providing containers (HOP, ROLL, BOX formats) for businesses to collect and recycle textile waste, ensuring regulatory compliance under French law.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CEPOVETT Group designs, manufactures, and distributes professional workwear, PPE-certified clothing, institutional uniforms, and corporate image wear through four owned brands (Lafont, Cepovett Safety, Ox'bridge Paris, Cepovett Technologies). It complements the physical product range with on-demand textile services including custom enterprise webshops, individual measuring programs, clothing alterations, image communication tools, and the Recyclovett turnkey textile recycling solution, serving customers from individual craftsmen to large CAC 40 corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lafont (Adolphe Lafont): French manufacturer of premium workwear and multi-specialist since 1844, serving artisans through large CAC 40 companies
• Cepovett Safety
• Ox'bridge Paris
• Cepovett Technologies
• Recyclovett

Products and services

• Re-use Platform for Workwear Service that collects, recovers, sorts, cleans, and alters worn enterprise workwear and uniforms so they can be reintroduced into circulation at reduced price through the customer's dedicated stock, supporting circular-economy objectives and waste reduction.
• Recyclovett Textile Recycling Solution Turnkey textile waste collection and recycling service offering HOP (96L), ROLL (700L), and BOX (900L) containers for businesses to manage their textile waste and ensure regulatory compliance under French textile recycling law.
• S-Café Professional Polo Shirt (Nespresso range) Professional polo shirt for Nespresso staff, made with fabric incorporating used coffee grounds and recycled PET, featuring quick-drying, odor control, UV protection, and lasting comfort.
• Eurostar Institutional Uniform Collection Gender-neutral institutional uniform collection designed for Eurostar's 2,600 on-board and ground agents, combining modernity and tradition with sustainable materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton, and innovative natural fibers.
• LAFONT Tech, Modul'wear and Work'attitude Ranges Three new hybrid and convertible workwear ranges featuring removable accessories, ergonomic pockets, bi-directional carbon-fibre fabric, and a gender-neutral, street-wear-inspired design, sold under the Lafont brand.
• Customized Enterprise Webshop Solution Sophisticated professional webshop with multi-media capabilities integrated with the client's HR database and compliant with management and accounting guidelines, positioned as the only offering of its kind in the professional clothing sector delivered at large scale.
• Individual Measuring and Sizing Program Service combining the Electronic Size Guide digital tool with in-person measurement to capture individual employee measurements and provide custom-fit professional clothing for enterprise customers.
• Lafont Premium Workwear Brand Brand offering premium French workwear since 1844 across multiple professional specialties (building, civil engineering, industry, maintenance, logistics, food services, etc.), serving artisans and large enterprise customers.
• Cepovett Safety PPE-Certified Workwear Brand
• Ox'bridge Paris Institutional Apparel Brand Brand specializing in professional ready-to-wear, corporate image apparel, and uniforms for key enterprise accounts, including landmark projects such as the Eurostar uniform collection and Nespresso's S-Café polo.
• Cepovett Technologies Custom Technical Textile Solutions Design and manufacture of custom technical textile products, high-tech protective gear, and bespoke solutions for clients with specialized technical requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivery within 24-48 hours to over 150 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RECYC'ELITcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CEPOVETT collaborates with RECYC'ELIT, a French deeptech company based in Lyon, on molecular recycling of complex polyester-based textiles. RECYC'ELIT's patented selective methanolysis process depolymerizes polyester into R-PET while separating co-materials. CEPOVETT participates in experimental pilot projects using pre-industrial demonstrator processing 10-30 tons of textile waste annually.
• GSF GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025French leader in cleaning and multi-services (B Corp certified). GSF launched collaborative CSR initiative dedicated to decarbonizing purchases, bringing together supplier partners to co-develop sustainable solutions. CEPOVETT is part of this Supplier Club, exchanging CSR best practices and developing low-carbon products.
• EurostarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CEPOVETT designed Eurostar's new institutional uniform through its OX'BRIDGE brand in 2025. The gender-neutral collection for 2,600 agents combines modernity and tradition with sustainable materials (recycled polyester, organic cotton), reflecting rail travel's green image.
• Conservatoire National du Saumon SauvageminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Three-year partnership (2024-2027) to protect Atlantic salmon in Haute-Loire gorges of the Allier river. Actions include salmon counts, fry releases, and awareness programs. Aligned with CEPOVETT's biodiversity commitments.
• RefashionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-organization collaborating with RECYC'ELIT on textile recycling initiatives.
• EcomaisonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-organization collaborating with RECYC'ELIT on textile recycling initiatives.
• DecathlonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSporting goods company collaborating with RECYC'ELIT on molecular recycling technology.
• NespressocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership through OX'BRIDGE brand for professional clothing. Created S-Café polo shirts incorporating used coffee grounds and recycled PET. Previously recycled old uniforms into 100% recycled tote bags. Partnership demonstrates circular economy commitment.
• EPSILON MadagascarcoreOthersCEPOVETT subsidiary in Madagascar with textile production facilities. Operating solar installations (800 KWp) providing ~40% of energy needs. Goal to become 100% self-sufficient in energy.
• VTL (Tunisia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTunisian textile manufacturer with multiple production facilities (knitwear, dyeing, printing, finishing) employing 6,000 workers. VTL has reduced water consumption by 90% through electrolysis technology and reverse osmosis. Collaborated on City of Paris Olympic polo shirts.
• Recover™minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Recover™ for transforming textile waste into high-quality recycled cotton fibers reintegrated into yarns for new textiles.
• UTEXBELminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean textile producer collaborated on City of Paris Olympic polo shirts using regenerated circular knit fabrics.
• DagobertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraying company involved in recycling end-of-life workwear into new garments for City of Paris Olympic polo shirts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Uvex: German manufacturer of PPE (head-to-toe protection) with strong industrial safety channel overlap. Directly comparable to Cepovett Safety's multi-risk protective apparel offering.
• Engelbert Strauss: German family-owned workwear and PPE giant with direct B2B sales and a similar integrated manufacturing-plus-digital-tooling model. Closest European peer by size, customer mix, and go-to-market.
• Fristads Kansas Group: Leading Scandinavian workwear manufacturer (Fristads, Kansas, Björnklader) covering workwear, PPE and corporate uniforms — directly comparable to CEPOVETT's multi-brand structure and enterprise customer base.
• Delta Plus Group: French-listed PPE and workwear specialist with vertically integrated manufacturing and a comparable multi-brand portfolio across protection, footwear, and corporate apparel — directly competes with Cepovett Safety and Lafont.
• Würth Modyf: German workwear subsidiary of the Würth Group serving industrial and craft customers across Europe — analogous to Lafont's premium workwear positioning and CEPOVETT's distributor-led SMB channel.
• Mascot Workwear: Danish workwear manufacturer with a focused range of tested, certified workwear for trades and industry. Comparable product depth and B2B distribution model.
• Ballyclare: UK-based workwear and PPE manufacturer serving industrial, emergency services, and rail customers (e.g., rail uniforms) — directly comparable to CEPOVETT's institutional rail and industrial segments (SNCF, Eurostar).
• Snickers Workwear: Swedish premium workwear brand focused on trades and craftsmen, distributed across Europe — comparable to Lafont's craft/SMB segment and go-to-market through independent distributors.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Personal Safety: Global diversified conglomerate whose Personal Safety Division sells PPE including protective apparel. Overlaps with CEPOVETT's safety/PPE line but operates at much broader scale across multiple product categories.
• Honeywell PPE: Industrial conglomerate with a sizable protective apparel and PPE business. Competes in the same enterprise safety-procurement budgets as Cepovett Safety but as one segment of a much larger industrial portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CepovettSafety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEPOVETT Group