What Fondis does

Fondis SAS is a French manufacturer of fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and stoves headquartered in Vieux-Thann, Alsace. Founded in 1978 by engineer Robert Richard and currently owned by four employees following a 2021 management buyout from the Bald family, the company designs and produces wood-burning, gas, pellet, hybrid, and electric heating appliances sold under the Fondis, Stella, Ulys, MODBOX, Eclipse, Orion, Woody, Agni, Solaris, SOLUS, and Trimline brands, alongside distributed brands Wodtke and Thermocet. The technical foundation rests on several proprietary, patented systems: the Zéro CO catalytic converter that reduces CO emissions by 90% and improves efficiency by 5–10% (8-year warranty), Visiocéram self-cleaning vitrocéramic glass, the MODBOX smoke box and heat accumulator module (storing up to 4 kWh and delivering roughly 3 hours of post-loading heat), the Dynamic Distribution System (SDD) for multi-room hot-air distribution, and the Hybrid fireplace that pairs a wood fire with a heat pump for year-round heating and cooling. Products comply with Flamme Verte, EcoDesign, and RE2020 standards.

Fondis operates a B2B2C go-to-market built around a network of more than 110 independent resellers/installers across France, supplemented by its directly managed FondisExpo 300 m² showroom in Vieux-Thann for sales, demonstrations, and professional installation. Pricing is quote-based through dealers, with no public price list; revenue is generated almost entirely from one-time hardware sales (fireplaces, inserts, stoves, WineMaster wine cellar climate systems, Solaris electric radiators). Approximately 30% of revenue is generated internationally. Marketing relies on trade shows (Be Positive, Bois Energie, regional habitat fairs), the Fondis website and content, social media via FondisExpo Facebook, co-marketing with dealers (e.g., the Quinzaine du Gaz campaign with GRDF), and showroom events.

The customer base is highly fragmented and anchored in residential homeowners for primary or supplemental heating, with secondary exposure to hospitality and care facilities through the SOLUS electric fireplace line. The company is undergoing operational modernization — a 2023 Industry 4.0 investment added laser cutting and a welding robot to its metalworking line, co-funded by the Grand Est Region and the European Union — while continuing to expand its product surface with recent launches such as the V50 RE2020-compliant insert (2024), the MODBOX accumulator (2024), the SOLUS electric fireplace (2025), and the Eclipse customizable wood stove (2025).

Name

Fondis

Legal name

FONDIS SAS

Website

https://fondis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondis SAS is a French Alsace-based manufacturer of fireplaces, inserts, and wood, pellet, gas, and electric stoves, selling through 110+ resellers in France and exporting ~30% of revenue. It serves residential homeowners (and select hospitality/care customers via SOLUS) with patented proprietary heating technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Home Heating Appliances (Fireplaces, Inserts, and Stoves)

NAICS

Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210)

SIC

Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433), Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Pits & Outdoor Fireplaces (HSAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outdoor Heating, Fire Pits & Fireplaces Retail (CRAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Fireplace manufacturing
• Wood heating appliances
• Pellet stoves
• Gas fireplaces
• Wine cellar climate control

Headquarters

HQ city

Vieux-thann

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fireplace and Stove Sales: Sale of manufactured fireplaces, inserts, and stoves (wood, pellet, gas, electric). Products are sold through a network of 110+ resellers/installers across France and directly through FondisExpo showroom.
2. Wine Cellar Climate Control: Sale of WineMaster climate control systems for wine cellars. Fondis became the world leader in this category.
3. Electric Radiators: Sale of Solaris glass electric radiators as an additional product line.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fondis manufactures and sells fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and wood/pellet/gas/electric stoves under proprietary brands (Stella, Ulys, MODBOX, Eclipse, Orion, Woody, Agni, Trimline, SOLUS). The company also offers related heating products including WineMaster wine cellar climate control systems and Solaris glass electric radiators. Products are sold through a French network of 110+ certified resellers/installers and the company's own FondisExpo showroom.

Product overview

Fondis is a French manufacturer of fireplaces, inserts, and stoves based in Vieux-Thann, Alsace, operating since 1978. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio centered on heating solutions including traditional and contemporary fireplaces (Stella, Ulys), the versatile MODBOX insert/stove hybrid, gas fireplaces (Trimline), electric fireplaces (SOLUS), wood stoves (Eclipse, Orion, Woody, Agni), and pellet stoves. Key proprietary technologies include Visiocéram self-cleaning glass, Zéro CO catalytic emission reduction, and the Dynamic Distribution System for heat propagation. The company also distributes related brands Wodtke (wood/pellet stoves) and Solaris (electric radiators), and WineMaster (wine cellar climate control). Products are available through a network of 110+ dealers in France and via the company's own Fondis Expo showroom.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WineMaster: Wine cellar climate control systems and air conditioners - Fondis became world leader in this segment
• Solaris
• Wodtke
• Thermocet
• Trimline
• Modbox
• Ulys
• Stella
• Eclipse
• Solus

Products and services

• Stella Fireplace Traditional fireplace with rapid heating thanks to high-density vermiculite interior and excellent door airtightness. Available in horizontal, vertical, panoramic, double-face, and corner configurations, RE2020-compatible via external air intake.
• Ulys Fireplace Panoramic fireplace providing maximum visual fire experience with minimal space requirements. Available in double-face configuration for installation between two rooms, with optional Zéro CO catalytic emission system.
• MODBOX Insert and Stove Hybrid Versatile insert combining stove and fireplace advantages with adjustable power, up to 5 hours autonomy, triple optimized combustion, patented smoke box, and Visiocéram self-cleaning glass. Available in 60-100cm sizes and double-face versions.
• Hybrid Fireplace Revolutionary fireplace combining traditional fireplace heating with heat pump technology to provide both winter heating and summer cooling for year-round comfort.
• Trimline Gas Fireplaces Gas fireplaces producing realistic flames comparable to wood fires with high energy efficiency. Available in panoramic, corner, and double-face configurations. Marketed with GRDF subsidies of approximately 400 EUR per connection.
• SOLUS Electric Fireplace Electric fireplace creating cozy ambiance with realistic flame effects without wood or smoke. Controllable via remote, suitable for public spaces, elderly or children environments, and adaptable to all interiors.
• Eclipse Wood Stove Fully customizable wood stove with 5 kW power output, featuring interchangeable side panels in various patterns (honeycomb, leaf, tree, oblique lines) and choice of steel or wood base. Manufactured in Alsace.
• Orion Accumulation Stove Wood accumulation stove combining performance and gentle heat for durable comfort through refractory brick heat storage technology.
• Woody Stoves Stove product line including LOFT and GRID designs with hygge-inspired aesthetics. Available in wood and pellet versions with clean, refined styling.
• Wodtke Wood and Pellet Stoves German-manufactured wood and pellet stoves distributed in France by Fondis through its network of independent installers.
• Agni Wood Stoves Wood-burning stoves in the Fondis product portfolio, manufactured in France.
• Fireplace Inserts Fireplace inserts including standard and custom-made versions for existing chimneys, available in various sizes and configurations. Includes custom-built options for renovation projects.
• V50 Insert Latest insert solution designed for RE2020 construction standards, compact and economical, suitable as main heating for approximately 100m² houses or as complementary heating. Compatible with traditional chimneys or MODBOX mid-room fireplace configuration.
• WineMaster Wine Cellar Climate Control Systems Wine cellar climate control systems including air conditioners and storage furniture. Fondis is the world leader in this category.
• Solaris Glass Electric Radiators Glass electric radiators for home heating, designed and distributed by Fondis under the Solaris sub-brand.
• FondisExpo Showroom and Installation Service Owned 300 m² showroom and installation service in Vieux-Thann, Alsace, offering direct sales and professional installation of Fondis products. Open Monday to Friday.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in CO emissions with Zéro CO technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association Émotion GazcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2016Fondis is a member of the Émotion Gaz Association since November 2016, as a French supplier of gas fireplaces and stoves. The FondisExpo showroom is also referenced as a new Point of Sale 'L'Emotion Gaz'.
• Trimline (European gas fireplace manufacturer)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with a leading European gas fireplace manufacturer with 25+ years of gas appliance experience to extend Fondis's offering to natural gas heating solutions.
• Marque AlsaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondis is a partner of the Marque Alsace initiative, which promotes Alsace know-how in France and internationally.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fondisexpo

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 Fondis