Bonnefon Group

What Bonnefon Group does

Groupe Bonnefon is a privately held French holding company headquartered in Bouguenais (near Nantes) that has specialized in welding and cutting solutions since its founding in 1955. The group operates as a multi-brand industrial platform comprising five sub-brands: BONNEFON SOUDURE (distribution of welding/cutting equipment, filler metals, PPE, and industrial supplies), BONNEFON INDUSTRIES (distribution of robotic, automatic, and manual welding solutions, holding exclusive French representation of DINSE and j.thielmann), ENGMAR (in-house manufacturer of welding fume extraction and pollutant treatment systems, identified as the French market leader), TORCHES SOLUTIONS (manufacturer of custom and standard welding/cutting torches across MIG/MAG, TIG, Plasma, Submerged Arc, and Flame processes), and CLS TECHNOLOGIES (acquired in 2022 in partnership with EUROPE TECHNOLOGIES Group, providing distribution, equipment rental, and after-sales services through four French agencies).

The group's underlying technology stack centers on proprietary mechanical and pneumatic systems: ENGMAR's source-capture fume extraction technology (including the ROPAS extraction nozzle, high-depression source-capture and low-vacuum workstation-capture systems, ergonomic swing arms and jib cranes), TORCHES SOLUTIONS' custom torch engineering, and integration of robotic and perirobotic welding solutions from partner brands. It is structured as a SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) with €380,000 share capital, is ISO 9001 certified, and operates from 7 sales outlets and manufacturing sites across France (Bouguenais, Saint-Priest, Brix, Martigues, Montoir de Bretagne, Stiring-Wendel, Lyon area) with international activity in Germany and through the World Trade Centers and International Ouest Club networks.

Groupe Bonnefon generates revenue through a hybrid model combining technical distribution (transactional sales of equipment, consumables, and filler metals), in-house manufacturing of custom torches and fume extraction systems, equipment rental and after-sales service/maintenance contracts, and exclusive distribution partnerships. Its sales-led go-to-market serves welding professionals, SMEs, artisans, large industrial accounts, and robotics integrators in France and select international markets, with pricing handled through direct sales-team contact rather than public disclosure. The group is led by second-generation family CEO Daniel Bonnefon and remains family-controlled with no disclosed institutional investors.

Name

Bonnefon Group

Legal name

SAS GROUPE BONNEFON

Website

https://groupebonnefon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Groupe Bonnefon is a family-owned French holding company specializing in welding and cutting solutions since 1955, operating five complementary brands covering equipment distribution, custom torch and fume extraction manufacturing, rental, and after-sales services for welding professionals and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Welding Equipment and Solutions

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding, Joining & Soldering Equipment (Arc, Resistance, Friction, Brazing) (IMAHADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Welding, Fabrication & Field Machining Services (On-site) (IMAIACAD), Welding & Plasma Power Supplies (Industrial welders, cutting power sources) (IMAGADAI), Flame & Heat Protective Foundry/Welding Apparel (CRAAALAL)

Keywords

• Welding equipment distribution
• Welding fume extraction
• Welding torch manufacturing
• Robotic welding solutions
• Welding consumables supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Bouguenais

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Welding Equipment Distribution: Distribution of welding and cutting equipment including machines, torches, consumables, filler metals, and industrial supplies through BONNEFON SOUDURE brand.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental of welding equipment and accessories for all processes through CLS TECHNOLOGIES network of 4 agencies across France.
3. Torch Manufacturing: Manufacture of custom TIG torches and standard MIG/TIG torches through TORCHES SOLUTIONS and CLS TECHNOLOGIES.
4. Fume Extraction Systems Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of welding fume extraction solutions including extraction torches, central units, tables, and hoods through ENGMAR.
5. Maintenance and Repair Services: After-sales service, periodic maintenance, and repairs of welding machines and torches through CLS TECHNOLOGIES.
6. Technical Services and Solutions: Distribution of robotic, automatic, and perirobotic solutions through BONNEFON INDUSTRIES including DINSE consumables and j.thielmann products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GROUPE BONNEFON manufactures and distributes welding and cutting solutions for industrial professionals. The group designs and manufactures welding fume extraction systems (ENGMAR) and custom/standard welding torches (TORCHES SOLUTIONS), while distributing welding machines, consumables, personal protective equipment, and robotic welding solutions (BONNEFON SOUDURE, BONNEFON INDUSTRIES), and providing equipment rental and maintenance services (CLS TECHNOLOGIES).

Product overview

GROUPE BONNEFON is a family-owned company specializing in the welding industry since 1955, operating as a multi-brand portfolio with complementary business models. The group consists of five main sub-brands: BONNEFON SOUDURE (historic distribution brand offering manual, cobotic and automatic welding/cutting equipment and fume extraction solutions), BONNEFON INDUSTRIES (robotic and automation solutions distributor representing DINSE and j.thielmann brands), ENGMAR (acquired 2005, manufacturer of welding fume extraction systems with high and low vacuum solutions, market leader in France), TORCHES SOLUTIONS (manufacturer and repair specialist for welding and cutting torches across all processes), and CLS TECHNOLOGIES (acquired 2022, equipment rental, trading and after-sales service with 4 French agencies). The group serves welding professionals in France and internationally, offering both distribution (technical trading) and manufacturing activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BONNEFON SOUDURE: Historic brand of the Group, offering complete range of products, services and solutions for welding/cutting and welding fume extraction since 1955
• BONNEFON INDUSTRIES
• ENGMAR
• TORCHES SOLUTIONS
• CLS TECHNOLOGIES

Products and services

• BONNEFON SOUDURE - Welding and Cutting Equipment Distribution Historic distribution brand offering complete range of welding/cutting equipment, products, services and fume extraction solutions for professional welders since 1955.
• ENGMAR - Welding Fume Extraction Systems Design and manufacture of welding fume extraction and pollutant treatment solutions including high and low vacuum extraction systems, extraction torches, central units, tables, hoods, and ergonomic equipment for welder protection. Market leader in France.
• TORCHES SOLUTIONS - Welding and Cutting Torches Manufacture and repair of standard and custom welding and cutting torches for all processes (MIG/MAG, TIG, Plasma, Submerged Arc, Flame), including spare parts and consumables.
• BONNEFON INDUSTRIES - Robotic and Automatic Welding Solutions Distribution of robotic, automatic and manual welding solutions including DINSE consumables (gas nozzles, contact tubes, wire guides, power connectors) and j.thielmann products for the automotive industry, robotics integrators, specialized distributors and major industrial companies.
• CLS TECHNOLOGIES - Equipment Rental, Distribution and After-Sales Service Distribution and rental of welding equipment and accessories, trading of industrial supplies and personal protective equipment, after-sales service/maintenance/repairs of welding machines and torches, and manufacture of custom TIG torches. Operates 4 agencies across France.

Quantifiable outcome

• ENGMAR is market leader in welding fume extraction in France and a driving force in Germany

Segments4 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EUROPE TECHNOLOGIES GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022GROUPE BONNEFON and EUROPE TECHNOLOGIES Group joined forces on May 1, 2022 to acquire CLS (Comptoir Lyonnais de Soudage), creating CLS TECHNOLOGIES. EUROPE TECHNOLOGIES, based in Carquefou (44) and founded in 1993, brings expertise in industrialization, manufacturing and maintenance of composite, metallic and plastic parts. This partnership expands the combined entity to 7 companies serving the welding industry.
• EvolisminorOthersInstitutional partner listed on GROUPE BONNEFON website as part of their network of institutional partners.
• Institut de Soudure GroupeminorOthersInstitutional partner - French welding institute providing industry expertise and standards.
• FFQ - Fédération française de la quincaillerie et fourniture industrielleminorOthersInstitutional partner - French hardware and industrial supplies federation.
• CCI Pays de la LoireminorOthersInstitutional partner - Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pays de la Loire region.
• Team France ExportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInstitutional partner - French export support network helping companies develop international business.
• EWA - European Welding AssociationminorOthersInstitutional partner - European welding industry association.
• IOC - International Ouest ClubminorOthersInternational Ouest Club is a collective dedicated to accelerating international development of businesses in Pays de la Loire region. GROUPE BONNEFON is a member, participating in interclub meetings, workshops, conferences, and afterworks.
• DVS VERBANDminorOthersInstitutional partner - German welding industry association.
• VDMAminorOthersInstitutional partner - German mechanical engineering industry association.
• DINSEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBONNEFON INDUSTRIES represents DINSE brand products throughout France, distributing their consumables including gas nozzles, contact tubes, wire guides, and power connectors.
• j.thielmanncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBONNEFON INDUSTRIES represents j.thielmann brand products throughout France.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GYS: French welding equipment manufacturer and competitor offering welding machines, battery chargers and automotive equipment; competes head-on with Bonnefon's welding equipment distribution and TORCHES SOLUTIONS manufacturing.
• Kemppi: Finnish manufacturer of welding equipment and software for manual and automated welding; comparable product range to Bonnefon across MIG/TIG/robotic welding with similar European mid-market positioning.
• Lorch Schweißtechnik: German family-owned welding equipment manufacturer with similar mid-sized European profile to Bonnefon; competes on MIG/TIG/plasma machines and automation solutions across DACH and broader Europe.
• Plymovent: Netherlands-based specialist in welding fume extraction and industrial air filtration; the most direct global competitor to ENGMAR's fume extraction business with overlapping source-capture and central system offerings.
• EWM: German mid-sized welding equipment manufacturer focused on MIG/MAG/TIG/plasma; similar size and European mid-market focus to Groupe Bonnefon, with overlapping torch and machine offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Fronius International: Austrian manufacturer of welding systems including TIG/MIG/robotic solutions; competes with Bonnefon's TORCHES SOLUTIONS and BONNEFON INDUSTRIES robotic welding offering in Europe.
• Lincoln Electric: Global leader in welding products and consumables; competes with BONNEFON SOUDURE's equipment distribution and TORCHES SOLUTIONS across virtually all welding processes and geographies.
• Air Liquide: Global industrial gas supplier whose shielding gases are essential consumables in MIG/TIG welding; adjacent to Bonnefon's consumables/filler-metals distribution business and a major industry counterpart in France.
• ESAB Corporation: Global welding and cutting equipment manufacturer with broad portfolio of machines, torches and consumables; direct overlap with Bonnefon's equipment and consumables distribution offering.

Others

• DINSE: German manufacturer of welding consumables (gas nozzles, contact tubes, wire guides) currently distributed in France exclusively by BONNEFON INDUSTRIES; a partner but also a potential competitive channel conflict if exclusivity changes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groupe-bonnefon

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Bonnefon Group