France Helices

What France Helices does

France Helices is a French family-owned manufacturer and repairer of custom marine propulsion systems, founded in 1977 by Paul Bezzi and headquartered in Cannes, with a second production site in Concarneau and a wholly-owned Italian subsidiary (Boat Propulsion Italia, established 2001). The company designs, calculates, and manufactures complete propulsion assemblies — fixed-pitch propellers (2 to 7 blades in bronze or NiBrAl), controllable-pitch propellers (under the acquired RENOU DARDEL brand), surface-piercing propellers, Kaplan/nozzle propellers, shaft lines (22–200mm diameter, up to 12m length), brackets, rudders, coupling flanges, nozzles, and the SDS surface drive system — for vessels up to 90 meters in length and propellers up to 3 meters in diameter.

Its manufacturing stack combines 5-axis CNC machining, 3D-printed foundry patterns, CAD/CAM/FAO, CFD analysis, vibration and on-board measurement, and a proprietary robotic grinding cell for large propellers that is stated to be unique among French civilian propeller manufacturers. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified (Bureau Veritas, 2018), holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label (2017), and is approved by the major classification societies (Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's, RINA, ABS, CCS).

Revenue is generated through custom one-time sales of manufactured propulsion systems, repair and modification services (including classification-society-approved repairs), an e-commerce spare-parts store (francehelices.net), and paid engineering consultancy (CFD studies, vibration and alignment work). Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, engaging shipyards, naval architects, engine manufacturers, classification societies, defense agencies, and individual boat owners — with direct enterprise sales for professional/classified vessels and a DTC channel for pleasure-boat spare parts and small repairs.

Name

France Helices

Legal name

France Hélices S.A.S.

Website

https://francehelices.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

France Helices is a French family-owned manufacturer and repairer (founded 1977, ~45 employees) of custom marine propulsion systems — propellers, shaft lines, brackets, rudders, and surface drives — serving yachting, fishing, passenger, defense, and work-vessel customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Propulsion Equipment

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Propellers & Waterjets (IMAJAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Propulsion Drives, Gearboxes & Shaftlines (IMAJAHAD), Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN), Propulsion, Shafting & Rudder Repair (Engines, Gearboxes, Thrusters) (IMAJAFAC), Mechanical Systems Repair (Engines, Propulsion, Pumps) (TLAKAKAF)

Keywords

• Marine propeller manufacturing
• Marine propulsion systems
• Shaft line fabrication
• Propeller repair services
• Custom marine engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Cannes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Marine Propeller Manufacturing: FRANCE HELICES designs, calculates, and manufactures custom marine propellers (2-7 blades) in bronze, cupro-aluminum (Nibral), or other materials. Products include fixed pitch propellers, controllable pitch propellers (CPP), sailing boat propellers, surface piercing propellers, and Kaplan propellers. Manufacturing is done to ISO 484/2 class II or S standards. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales based on technical specifications and customer requirements.
2. Propulsion System Components: The company manufactures and sells complete propulsion system components including shaft lines (22-200mm diameter, up to 12m length), brackets (glass-in or bolt-on), rudders, coupling flanges (tapered or clamping type), nozzles, and oil-lubricated shaft lines. These are sold as standard or custom-made products.
3. Repair and Modification Services: FRANCE HELICES provides repair services for propellers up to 3m diameter (per ISO 484 standard), including blade repair, cavitation/electrolysis recharging, blade modification, balancing, liquid penetrant inspection. Services extend to shaft lines, brackets, rudders, and controllable pitch propellers (RENOU DARDEL). Repairs can be approved by classification societies.
4. Spare Parts Distribution: The company operates an e-commerce store (francehelices.net) selling spare parts including zinc anodes, rubber bearings, coupling flanges, stern tubes, stuffing boxes, PSS shaft seals, Tides Marine products, and other propulsion components. Revenue generated through direct online sales.
5. Engineering Consultancy: FRANCE HELICES provides engineering consultancy services including hull resistance studies, wake factor identification, CFD analysis, vibration calculations, on-board measurements, and laser alignment. Extended studies are provided as paid engineering services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

France Helices custom-designs, calculates, manufactures, and repairs marine propulsion systems—including fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, surface-piercing, Kaplan, and skew-back propellers (2–7 blades) along with complete shaft lines, brackets, rudders, coupling flanges, nozzles, and surface drive systems (SDS)—for vessels up to 90 meters, serving yachting, commercial, defense, and fishing markets.

Product overview

France Helices is a French manufacturer and repairer of marine propulsion systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio of custom and standard propulsion components. The product range centers on propellers (fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, skew-back, Kaplan, and surface piercing variants in 2-7 blades) complemented by complete shaft line assemblies including brackets, rudders, coupling flanges, and nozzles. The company also manufactures the Surface Drive System (SDS) for high-speed vessels. An acquired product line includes RENOU DARDEL controllable pitch propellers for professional applications. All products are available in bronze, NiBrAl, stainless steel, or other materials on request, manufactured to ISO 484/2 standards with optional classification society approvals (Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's, RINA, ABS, CCS). The company operates from two French manufacturing sites (Cannes and Concarneau) and offers repair services, technical consulting, and a full spare parts catalog.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RENOU DARDEL: Controllable pitch propellers (CPP) brand for professional applications including fishing, tuna boats, defense, and passenger ships.
• Boat Propulsion Italia
• SDS (Surface Drive System)

Products and services

• Fixed-pitch propellers (2–7 blades) Custom-designed fixed-pitch propellers with 2 to 7 blades for vessels up to 90 m, covering yachting, commercial, defense, and fishing applications.
• Controllable-pitch propellers (CPP) Controllable-pitch propellers allowing in-service pitch adjustment, supplied for vessels requiring flexible propulsion performance.
• Surface-piercing propellers Surface-piercing propellers designed to operate partially above the waterline, suited to high-performance and planing applications.
• Kaplan propellers Kaplan-style propellers for applications requiring this specific blade geometry, integrated within France Helices' propeller portfolio.
• Skew-back propellers Skew-back propellers with skewed blade geometry for reduced vibration and cavitation, suited to yachting and commercial vessels.
• FHBC racing propellers Dedicated performance racing propeller line for sailing yachts, engineered and supported by a specialized FHBC designer/engineer for high-end owners and racing teams.
• Shaft lines Complete propulsion shaft lines engineered and manufactured as part of France Helices' integrated propulsion packages.
• Brackets, rudders, coupling flanges, and nozzles A range of complementary propulsion and steering hardware—brackets, rudders, coupling flanges, and nozzles—manufactured to complement the propeller and shaft line offering.
• Surface Drive Systems (SDS) Surface drive systems (SDS) integrating surface-piercing propellers with their associated drive hardware for high-speed marine applications.
• Spare parts (e-commerce) Online e-commerce store selling replacement parts for France Helices propellers and propulsion equipment, serving vessel operators and owners.
• Propeller repair and refit services Repair, reconditioning, and rebalancing of propellers, including welding, machining, and dynamic balancing for vessels up to 90 m.
• On-site intervention service Field service with France Helices technicians deploying on-site in France and abroad to measure, repair, balance, or replace propulsion equipment without the vessel needing to dry-dock.
• Engineering and design office services Propulsion design, hydrodynamic calculation (CFD), CAD/CAM/FAO engineering, classification-society-compliant engineering studies, and technical consultancy for vessel projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Surface propeller efficiency improved up to 10% over the last decade; FH5SSP model achieves >75% efficiency in cavitation tunnel tests
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boat Propulsion ItaliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001Italian subsidiary established in 2001 for sales and repairs of marine propulsion systems. Located in Italy, serving the Italian market with FRANCE HELICES products and services.
• SIMEGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993SIMEG was a company specialized in propulsion for fishing and work vessels, created in 1977. Acquired by FRANCE HELICES in 1993. The 1997 fusion of SIMEG (Concarneau) and RENOU DARDEL (Dammarie les lys) created the unified FRANCE HELICES entity, enabling knowledge sharing between sites.
• RENOU DARDELcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Acquired in 1991, RENOU DARDEL was a 100-year-old production plant specialized in controllable pitch propellers and professional propellers. The company included its own foundry. Today, FRANCE HELICES Concarneau handles RENOU DARDEL wear parts, maintenance, repairs, and after-sales service for professional applications including fishing (longliners, tuna boats), defense, and passenger ships.
• Region SudminorOthersRegion Sud (Regional Council) provided a grant supporting the development of the robotic grinding cell for large-diameter propellers at FRANCE HELICES Cannes. This innovation investment was part of the region's support for industrial excellence.
• UIMM Côte d'AzurminorOthersPartnership with UIMM (Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie) Côte d'Azur for employee testimonials and recruitment marketing. Employee stories featured on UIMM's Instagram platform.
• Classification Societies (Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's, RINA, ABS, CCS)coreTechnology or IntegrationFRANCE HELICES products can be approved by major classification societies including Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, RINA, ABS, and CCS. For classified ships, the company works in collaboration with these organizations. ISO 9001:2015 certification provided by Bureau Veritas.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä: Wärtsilä is a global marine technology group offering propulsion systems, shaft lines, and lifecycle services to commercial shipping and naval customers, overlapping with France Helices across propeller and propulsion integration work for mid- and large-vessel shipyards.
• Rolls-Royce (Kongsberg Maritime) marine propulsion: Rolls-Royce's marine business, now part of Kongsberg Maritime, supplies propellers, waterjets, and integrated propulsion systems to commercial and naval shipyards worldwide — a broad incumbent offering overlapping capability with France Helices' propeller and shaft-line packages but at much larger scale and with global service infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Hundested Propeller: Hundested Propeller (Denmark) is a specialist supplier of controllable-pitch propellers and fixed-pitch propellers for fishing, workboats, and small commercial vessels, with its own foundry — a European direct peer, particularly comparable to France Helices' RENOU DARDEL CPP work.
• Teignbridge Propellers: Teignbridge Propellers is a UK-based manufacturer of marine propellers (fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, surface-piercing) and sterngear for commercial, naval, and pleasure craft — closely comparable to France Helices across propeller types and ISO 484 class standards.
• Nakashima Propeller: Nakashima Propeller is one of the world's largest independent propeller manufacturers, producing fixed-pitch and controllable-pitch propellers up to very large diameters for commercial, fishing, and naval shipyards — a direct competitor in custom large-diameter propeller work.
• Mecklenburger Metallguss (MMG): MMG is a German foundry and propeller manufacturer producing bronze and NiBrAl propellers up to very large diameters, with its own foundry and CNC machining — directly comparable to France Helices' in-house foundry, machining, and propeller finishing capabilities.
• Schottel: Schottel is a German specialist in marine propulsors (azimuth thrusters, fixed-pitch propellers, controllable-pitch propellers) serving commercial, naval, and offshore vessels — a direct peer to France Helices in CPP and propeller manufacturing for professional marine customers.
• Brunvoll: Brunvoll is a Norwegian manufacturer of propulsion and manoeuvring thrusters, controllable-pitch propellers, and complete propulsion packages for commercial and naval vessels — closely comparable to France Helices in CPP and integrated propulsion system delivery.

Regional players

• Boat Propulsion Italia: Boat Propulsion Italia is France Helices' own wholly-owned Italian subsidiary selling and repairing France Helices propulsion products in Italy — included as a regional channel/distribution peer that demonstrates the cross-border model France Helices uses to reach Southern European markets.
• VEEM: VEEM is an Australian marine propeller and sterngear manufacturer producing fixed-pitch and controllable-pitch propellers and gyro stabilisers for defence, commercial, and superyacht markets — a regional specialist with a comparable ISO-class manufacturing model to France Helices, operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/francehelices
• Facebookfacebook.com/francehelices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/france-helices-sas
• Instagraminstagram.com/francehelices

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 France Helices