What Chabas & Besson does

Chabas & Besson is a French designer, manufacturer, and repairer of hydraulic cylinders, founded in 1947 by Messrs. Chabas and Besson in Romainville and now operated through the FÉTIS Group (since 2021). Headquartered operationally in Vendée (Le Poiré-sur-Vie for new manufacture, Saint-Martin-de-Fraigneau for repair), the company manufactures custom hydraulic cylinders ranging from 20mm to 920mm bore, strokes up to 8,500mm, pressures up to 600 bar, and weights up to 13 tonnes, with capabilities in alloy, stainless, and bronze materials and operation from -40°C to +150°C. Its product portfolio centers on bespoke cylinders (single-acting, double-acting, telescopic, instrumented, and autonomous) and the proprietary Auto-Vérin® SARRAZIN—a self-contained cylinder with integrated power unit supplied pre-filled, depolluted, and tested, available in AV2L/AV2C and AV3L/AV3C ranges. The firm sells into six verticals: public works and quarrying, nuclear and broader energy (including EDF), industrial and steel, specialized machinery, offshore and naval (including submarines to 2,000m and the Chernobyl arch closure application), and bodywork/material handling. Revenue derives from custom manufacturing (bespoke, pricing per specification), repair services (12–72 hour rapid repair at two counters, on-site intervention via a France-wide partner network, and a 96% repair success rate), and resale of standard cylinders. The company is ISO 9001-V2015 certified, holds exclusive French distribution of HUNGER® Dichtungen sealing components, and complies with CODAP, DNV 2.9, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, and RCC-MH (EDF) construction codes.

Name

Chabas & Besson

Legal name

Chabas et Besson

Website

https://chabas-besson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chabas & Besson is a French designer, manufacturer, and repairer of custom hydraulic cylinders, serving public works, nuclear energy, industrial, naval, and material-handling clients across France with proprietary Auto-Vérin® technology and rapid 12–72 hour repair services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydraulic Cylinder Manufacturing and Repair

NAICS

Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing (333995), Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydraulic Components (Pumps, Motors, Cylinders) (IMAHAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydraulic Power Units & Systems (HPUs, Manifolds, Integrated Circuits) (IMAHAGAB), Hydraulic, Pneumatic & Fluid Power Systems MRO (Cylinders, Pumps, Valves, Hoses) (TLAKAHAI), Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems Service (Liftgates, Air Systems) (TLAKABAJ)

Keywords

• Custom hydraulic cylinders
• Hydraulic cylinder repair
• Self-contained cylinders
• Industrial seals distribution
• Heavy equipment hydraulics

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Poiré-sur-vie

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Hydraulic Cylinder Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of bespoke hydraulic cylinders on a per-unit or small-batch basis, ranging from unit-specific custom cylinders to recurring specific series. Revenue derived from product sales with pricing based on technical specifications, materials, dimensions, and customization level.
2. Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Services: Repair, reconstruction, and reliability improvement of hydraulic cylinders for all brands. Services include emergency rapid repairs (12–72h), in-depth reconstruction, surface treatment of rods, barrel refurbishment, complete hydraulic testing (static and dynamic). Also includes on-site intervention, maintenance contracts, and guarantee extensions.
3. Standard Cylinder Sales: Resale of standard hydraulic cylinders alongside custom manufacturing and repair offerings, as part of comprehensive maintenance contracts and guarantee extensions.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Chabas & Besson designs, manufactures and repairs hydraulic cylinders, offering custom-engineered vérins hydrauliques (unit to medium series) and the proprietary Auto-Vérin® SARRAZIN — a self-contained cylinder with integrated power unit. The company also provides rapid repair (12–72h turnaround, 96% success rate), full reconstruction, on-site intervention across France, and exclusive French distribution of HUNGER® Dichtungen seals for severe applications.

Product overview

Chabas & Besson is a designer, manufacturer, and repairer of hydraulic cylinders with over 75 years of experience. Their product portfolio centers on custom hydraulic cylinders (vérins hydrauliques sur mesure) manufactured in their facilities, and the Auto-vérin® SARRAZIN — a proprietary self-contained hydraulic cylinder with integrated power unit. They also offer comprehensive repair services leveraging their exclusive distribution of HUNGER® Dichtungen sealing products. The product range spans from unit custom cylinders to medium series production, with the AV2L/AV2C and AV3L/AV3C series covering strokes from 800mm to 1,200mm and forces up to 10,000 daN. Repair services include rapid response counters, full reconstruction, reliability optimization, and on-site intervention across France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Hydraulic Cylinders (Vérins hydrauliques sur mesure) Custom-designed and manufactured hydraulic cylinders for single-acting, double-acting, telescopic, instrumented, and autonomous applications, ranging from unit production to medium series, with bore diameters from 20 to 920mm, strokes up to 8,500mm, pressures up to 600 bar, and operating temperatures from -40°C to +150°C. Intended for industrial operators and OEMs in public works, nuclear energy, industry, naval, and material handling.
• Auto-Vérin® SARRAZIN (Self-Contained Hydraulic Cylinder) Self-contained hydraulic cylinder with its own integrated power unit, supplied pre-filled with oil, depolluted and tested, ready for electrical connection. Available in AV2L/AV2C (stroke up to 800mm, 2,500 daN) and AV3L/AV3C (stroke up to 1,200mm, 10,000 daN) ranges. Designed for difficult environments (isolated, humid, dusty, ATEX) where external hydraulic infrastructure is unavailable.
• Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Services (Réparation de vérins hydrauliques) Comprehensive hydraulic cylinder repair services for all brands, including rapid repair counters (immediate quote, 12–72h repair turnaround, optimized cost), full reconstruction, surface treatment of rods, barrel refurbishment, complete hydraulic testing (static and dynamic), on-site intervention across France, maintenance contracts, and guarantee extensions. Achieves a 96% repair success rate.
• HUNGER® Dichtungen Seals and Carriers Distribution Exclusive French distribution of German HUNGER® Dichtungen carriers and seals, including holders specifically developed for HUNGER HYDRAULIK cylinders, high-tech seals for severe applications, high-performance guidances, and products for ceramic rods. Used in Chabas & Besson manufacturing and repair operations and supplied to French customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of hydraulic cylinders presented for repair are successfully repaired, often repeatedly, and often with improved longevity over the original design.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HUNGER DichtungencoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive French distributor of HUNGER Dichtungen (Germany) carriers and seals, including holders specifically developed for HUNGER HYDRAULIK cylinders, high-tech seals for severe applications, high-performance guidances, and products for ceramic rods. This partnership provides Chabas & Besson with proprietary access to premium sealing components unavailable through standard commercial channels.
• CODAP (Code de Construction des Appareils sous Pression)minorOthersCompliance with CODAP construction code for pressure equipment, alongside DNV 2.9, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, and RCC-MH (XMA – EDF) for nuclear applications.
• Hydraulics / Mechanics / Electricians / Automation Partner NetworkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork of qualified and referenced partner companies (hydraulicians, mechanics, electricians, automation specialists) selected to cover dismantling and reassembly services across France. This partner network enables Chabas & Besson to offer comprehensive on-site services nationwide, maintaining the same quality standards as in-house operations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bucher Hydraulics: Swiss-based manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders, pumps, valves, and power units for mobile and industrial machinery. Closely comparable to Chabas & Besson in custom-cylinder design and manufacture for construction and material-handling OEMs.
• Pacoma (Weber-Hydraulik Group): Specialist manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic locking systems for commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and special machinery. Comparable in its focus on custom engineered cylinders, though Pacoma is more concentrated on commercial-vehicle applications.
• HAWE Hydraulik: German specialist manufacturer of hydraulic components, including custom hydraulic cylinders, power units, valves, and pumps for mobile and industrial applications. Closely comparable to Chabas & Besson in its focus on engineered hydraulic-cylinder solutions for demanding environments.
• PMC Cylinders: UK-based designer and manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, including large-bore and special-purpose units for industrial, marine, offshore, and defense applications. Directly comparable niche custom-cylinder manufacturer competing in similar regulated end-markets.
• Hunger Hydraulik: German manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders (including large-bore and special-application units) and the parent brand of HUNGER Dichtungen seals that Chabas & Besson distributes in France. Direct overlap in custom cylinder design, manufacture, and severe-application sealing.
• Wipro Infrastructure Engineering: Manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders, rock breakers, and precision components serving construction, mining, and material-handling OEMs globally. Comparable in custom-cylinder manufacturing for heavy-equipment OEMs, though operating at much larger scale across geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Parker Hannifin: Worldwide manufacturer of motion and control technologies, including a comprehensive line of hydraulic cylinders (Parker Cylinder Division). Comparable custom and tie-rod cylinders used in construction, industrial, and mobile applications; significantly larger and more diversified than the subject company.
• Eaton: Multinational power-management company with a broad hydraulics business including custom hydraulic cylinders, industrial valves, and motion-control products. Competes in the same end-markets (construction, agriculture, industrial machinery) as Chabas & Besson but at much greater scale.
• Bosch Rexroth: Global market leader in hydraulic cylinders, pumps, valves, and complete hydraulic systems serving industrial, mobile, and machine-tool applications. Overlaps with Chabas & Besson across hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, but offers a much broader systems portfolio and global footprint.
• Liebherr Components: Division of the Liebherr Group manufacturing hydraulic cylinders, swing gears, and other components used in-house and supplied to external construction, mining, and maritime OEMs. Significant overlap with Chabas & Besson's heavy-equipment hydraulic-cylinder business, but part of a much larger diversified industrial group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chabas-besson
• Xx.com/chabasbesson

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Chabas & Besson