Flavien

What Flavien does

Flavien (legally GIE FLAVIEN-GCAT) is a French social enterprise group structured as a Groupement d'Intérêts Économiques combining Association FLAVIEN (a 1901 law non-profit, founded 1952 as SEPA) and SARL GCAT (founded 1954), both holding "Entreprise Adaptée" status under French law n°2005-102 for the employment of disabled workers. The group operates two manufacturing sites — Lunéville (soaps, perfumery, cosmetics, ~32 disabled workers) and Décines (brooms, brushes, garbage bags, stationery, ~30 disabled workers) — employing around 62 disabled workers aged 18–65 with full employee status, and exited a 9-year recovery plan in May 2023 under DG Brigitte REY-POVEDA.

The product portfolio spans four brands: FLAVIEN (legacy soaps, solid/liquid perfumes, colognes, body care, eaux de parfum including FL'OR and H solid perfumes with the first inclusive QR code for visually impaired users), GCAT (brushware, sacherie, paper/stationery), HYGEIA (ECOCERT-certified ecological cleaning with visually-impaired-adapted packaging, launched June 2023), and TALISMAN Cosm'éthique Bien-Etre (inclusive cosmetics and well-being, launched 2024). Production combines traditional French soap-making and perfumery with ECOCERT ecological detergency, FSC-certified packaging, and contract manufacturing/subcontracting ("Votre Atelier Solidaire") covering cosmetics, perfumery, detergency, logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, brush manufacturing, and co-packing.

The business model is a multi-channel mix: direct-to-consumer through trois boutiques (particuliers.flavien.fr, pros.flavien.fr, partenaires.flavien.fr), a Délégué-Conseil field sales force targeting enterprise and public-sector buyers with RSE policies, a "Revendeur Engagé" reseller network under the RESSOURCES et PARTAGES® solidarity label, plus subcontracting services and event-driven demand (BEAUTE SELECTION, NATEXPO). Pricing is unit-based (€8.50–€66.90 TTC on consumer SKUs, free delivery over €180 HT), revenue streams include product sales, professional subcontracting fees, and "Achat Solidaire" procurement that helps buyers reduce AGEFIPH/FIPHFP OETH contributions. The operating geography is France-only, with no disclosed funding rounds and no external institutional investors.

Name

Flavien

Legal name

GIE FLAVIEN-GCAT

Website

https://flavien.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Flavien (GIE FLAVIEN-GCAT) is a French social enterprise employing ~62 disabled workers across two factories producing soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, ECOCERT cleaning products, brushes, and stationery under brands FLAVIEN, GCAT, HYGEIA, and TALISMAN, sold via three e-commerce storefronts, a field sales force, and a reseller network in France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Personal Care and Household Cleaning Products Manufacturing

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing (325611)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRADAKAA

Laundry Detergents & Boosters (Liquid/Powder/PODS, Enzymes, Bleach Alternatives)

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/Home & Fabric Care Products

SECONDARYCRAJABAI

Produce Wash & Food-Contact Surface Dish Cleaning Solutions

Consumer Products & Retail/Household Products & Cleaning Supplies/Dishwashing Products

Keywords

• Hygiene products manufacturing
• Ecological cleaning products
• Natural cosmetics soap-making
• Adapted enterprise social inclusion
• Contract manufacturing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Décines

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Cosmetics & Hygiene: Sale of soaps, solid perfumes, liquid perfumes, eaux de Cologne, body care oils, shower gels, hand creams, micellar water to individuals and professionals through e-commerce platforms.
2. Product Sales - Cleaning & Maintenance: Sale of household cleaning products under HYGEIA brand, brooms, brushes, garbage bags, paper products, stationery to professionals and individuals.
3. Subcontracting & Manufacturing Services: Custom manufacturing, assembly, packaging, co-packing, and e-commerce logistics services for client brands under 'Votre Atelier Solidaire' model.
4. Subcontracting - GCAT Logistics: Subcontracting services for logistics, e-commerce, and brush manufacturing for external clients.
5. Solidarity Purchasing (Achat Solidaire): Companies purchase products with 'Achat Solidaire' label to fulfill RSE obligations, reducing AGEFIPH/FIPHFP contributions through indirect employment of disabled workers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flavien (operating as GIE FLAVIEN-GCAT) manufactures and sells hygiene, cosmetic, perfumery, and cleaning products under brands including FLAVIEN, GCAT, HYGEIA, and TALISMAN. The company operates as a French Adapted Enterprise (Entreprise Adaptée) employing approximately 50 workers with disabilities, producing soaps, solid perfumes, eau de parfum, body care, ECOCERT-certified ecological detergents, brooms, brushes, and stationery, while also providing contract manufacturing and subcontracting services for client brands.

Product overview

Flavien operates as a GIE (Groupement d'Intérêts Économiques) combining Association FLAVIEN and SARL GCAT, two Adapted Enterprises employing persons with disabilities. The product portfolio is organized across four main brands: (1) FLAVIEN et GCAT covering traditional soaps, liquid soaps, shower gels, body care, colognes, and perfumes; (2) HYGEIA offering ECOCERT-certified ecological cleaning products with QR-codes adapted for visually impaired users; (3) TALISMAN Cosm'éthique Bien-Etre featuring inclusive cosmetics, hand creams, and ambient fragrances; and (4) GCAT Brosserie producing brooms, brushes, and handles. The company also provides sous-traitance (contract manufacturing) services for cosmetics, logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, and co-packing. Services include SANZO vehicle fleet cleaning and MOUV'EMPLOI mobility support. The RESSOURCES et PARTAGES network and endowment fund facilitates solidarity and inclusion initiatives. Products are sold through three e-commerce platforms targeting Particuliers (individuals), Professionnels (professionals), and Partenaires (resellers/partners). The HANDI-FABRIQUÉ label certifies quality products manufactured in France by persons with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HYGEIA: Ecological cleaning products brand launched in June 2023, featuring packaging adapted for visually impaired users
• TALISMAN
• RESSOURCES et PARTAGES
• Les Authentiques de Flavien
• Flavien Nature

Products and services

• FLAVIEN et GCAT Core Range Core range of hygiene, soap, and maintenance products manufactured by workers with disabilities, including soaps, liquid soaps, shower gels, and traditional cleaning products for both individual consumers and professionals.
• HYGEIA Ecological Cleaning Products ECOCERT-certified ecological cleaning line including multi-use, kitchen, bathroom, window, and ecological products. Features QR-codes adapted for visually impaired users. Priced €8.50 to €39.90 TTC.
• TALISMAN Cosm'éthique Bien-Etre Inclusive cosmetic and well-being brand featuring hand creams with argan oil and shea butter (€11.90 TTC per 50ml tube), scented candles, body oils, micellar water, and ambient fragrances manufactured by workers with disabilities.
• FL'OR Solid Perfume Fruity and gourmet solid perfume with QR-code inclusive accessibility for visually impaired users. Available in LUXE format (€48.50 TTC, 15ml) and NOMADE format (€15.50 TTC). Made with beeswax and coconut oil.
• H Solid Perfume Woody and aromatic solid perfume for men with QR-code inclusive accessibility for visually impaired users. Features notes of cinnamon, ginger, patchouli, and sandalwood. Available in LUXE and NOMADE formats.
• FL'OR Eau de Parfum Liquid perfume version featuring notes of blackcurrant, pear, iris, and vanilla in a 50ml spray bottle. Includes inclusive QR code for visually impaired users.
• H Eau de Parfum Woody and aromatic liquid perfume for men with notes of cinnamon, ginger, patchouli, and sandalwood in a 50ml spray bottle. Includes inclusive QR code for visually impaired users.
• Apparence de Flavien Eau de Parfum Iconic eau de parfum collection priced at €66.90 TTC for 100ml, including versions for women (bergamot, ylang-ylang, rose, vetiver, cassis) and men.
• Savonnerie FLAVIEN (Traditional Soap Workshop) Traditional soap workshop producing solid soaps (Marseille soap with olive oil, Aleppo soap), liquid soaps, and washing powder (Poudre Lavante in 1-liter pot). Represents historical savoir-faire in soap-making.
• GCAT Brosserie (Brooms and Brushes) Brooms, brushes, and cleaning equipment manufactured by GCAT at the Décines facility. Includes durable brooms, sweep brushes, handles, and back-to-school brush collections. Approximately 150 tonnes of bag film produced annually.
• Eaux de Cologne Traditional colognes with natural essences in 200ml spray bottles with scents including natural, lotus flower, and orange blossom. Manufactured with traditional maturation time.
• Brume de Linge (Fabric Freshener) Fabric freshener spray with lily of the valley and cotton flower scent in 500ml bottle. 96.4% natural origin ingredients. Part of ambient perfumery line.
• Huiles Corporelles (Body Oils) Body oils in 100ml bottles with dropper caps, including coconut-apricot, sweet almond, avocado, and castor oils.
• Eau Micellaire Moussante Cleansing foam with rose water and honey in 200ml pump bottle. 99.15% natural composition. Part of body care line.
• Crème pour les Mains TALISMAN Hand cream with argan oil and shea butter, 50ml tube at €11.90 TTC. Part of the TALISMAN Cosm'éthique line.
• Sous-traitance FLAVIEN GCAT (Contract Manufacturing) Contract manufacturing services including cosmetics, perfumery, detergency, logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, brush manufacturing, and co-packing for client brands under the 'Votre Atelier Solidaire' (Your Solidarity Workshop) model. Includes custom assembly and packaging.
• SANZO Ecological Vehicle Cleaning Ecological vehicle cleaning and safety service for company fleets, performed by workers from partner Adapted Enterprises (EA) and Sheltered Work Environments (ESAT) within the RESSOURCES et PARTAGES solidarity network. Includes AIR-CHECK+ safety checks.
• MOUV'EMPLOI Mobility and Employment Service Mobility and employment inclusion service providing vehicles with and without driving licenses to young people and disabled workers in the Drouais territory, in partnership with Mission Locale du Drouais and 52 local enterprises. Part of the RESSOURCES et PARTAGES network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300,000 euros committed over 3 years by 52 companies for MOUV'EMPLOI inclusive employment initiative
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Mairie de DREUXflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2023Innovation partnership for inclusive employment creating MOUV'EMPLOI initiative. Mairie collaborates with Association FLAVIEN, Mission Locale du Drouais, and local enterprises to facilitate employment access through mobility solutions.
• Mission Locale du DrouaisflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2023Partnership to facilitate access to employment for young people through MOUV'EMPLOI initiative providing vehicles with and without driving licenses on the Drouais territory.
• SANZO Partner Enterprises (EA-ESAT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2023Vehicle cleaning and sanitation services conducted by workers from partner Adapted Enterprises (EA) and Sheltered Work Environments (ESAT) within Ressources et Partages network.
• GVA BYMYCARcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 September 2022Automotive group partnership demonstrating concrete RSE achievements in supported employment of disabled workers. Represented by Patricia PRIMAULT (Responsable Santé-Sécurité-Handicap) at award ceremony.
• AGEFIPH (Association de Gestion du Fonds pour l'Insertion Professionnelle des Handicapés)coreOthersNational organization supporting employment of disabled workers. FLAVIEN GCAT helps companies reduce AGEFIPH contributions through indirect employment of disabled workers under OETH (Obligation d'Emploi des Travailleurs Handicapés).
• FIPHFP (Fonds pour l'Insertion des Personnes Handicapées dans la Fonction Publique)coreOthersPublic sector equivalent to AGEFIPH, enabling public organizations to fulfill disability employment obligations through FLAVIEN GCAT services.
• GCAT Nature Partner NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of ESS (Social and Solidarity Economy) partner workshops where products are manufactured, extending production capacity across disability employment sector.
• GED (Groupement des Entreprises de Décines)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business group enabling FLAVIEN GCAT to offer disability employment integration opportunities through ordinary work environment placements via mise à disposition contracts.
• Entreprises du Territoire du Drouais (52 companies)coreGTM or Marketing Partner52 companies committed €300,000 over 3 years to MOUV'EMPLOI initiative supporting inclusive mobility and employment for young people and disabled workers in the Drouais territory.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aroma-Zone: Major French natural cosmetics and DIY beauty retailer/manufacturer with strong natural-ingredient positioning, body oils, soaps, and cleaning products — overlaps with Flavien Nature and TALISMAN product lines.
• Marius Fabre: Family-owned French soap maker founded 1900 in Salon-de-Provence producing traditional Marseille and Aleppo soaps — competes head-to-head with Flavien's Savonnerie FLAVIEN line in traditional liquid and solid soaps.
• Compagnie de Provence: French traditional Marseille soap and natural personal care manufacturer with similar heritage positioning, traditional methods, and DTC distribution — directly comparable product portfolio and price points to Flavien's Savonnerie and FL'OR ranges.
• Lush: Global handmade cosmetics brand known for solid format products (solid perfumes, solid soaps, shampoo bars) — directly comparable to Flavien's solid perfume and soap innovations, with similar handmade/ethical brand positioning.
• Savonnerie Fer à Cheval: Marseille-based traditional soap manufacturer (founded 1856) producing authentic Marseille soaps and natural cleaning products — directly competes with Flavien's Savonnerie and HYGEIA cleaning product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Unilever: Multinational CPG conglomerate with extensive personal care, home care, and fragrance portfolios including natural-positioned brands — broad incumbent that competes across Flavien's product categories.
• Henkel: Global leader in laundry, home care, and beauty products — directly competes with Flavien's HYGEIA cleaning and personal care lines at the mass-market and B2B professional cleaning levels.
• Yves Rocher: Major French botanical beauty brand with French manufacturing, direct-sales heritage, and natural-ingredient positioning — a much larger but thematically similar competitor in the French natural cosmetics market.
• L'Occitane en Provence: Large French natural and botanical beauty brand with a similar natural-ingredient positioning and French manufacturing heritage — a much larger incumbent that competes in the same consumer mindshare for natural French cosmetics.
• Le Petit Marseillais (McBride / Lornit): Mass-market French personal care brand focused on natural Mediterranean ingredients and traditional soap formats — a mainstream incumbent in the same consumer category as Flavien's soap and shower products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flavien_gcat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flavien-gcat

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Flavien