Artisans ARTIPÔLE - COBAT

What Artisans ARTIPÔLE - COBAT does

ORCAB (Organisation des Coopératives d'achat des Artisans du Bâtiment) is a French national union of building-artisan purchasing cooperatives, operating under the public-facing ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE brand. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Rocheservière (Pays de la Loire), ORCAB is structured as a Société Anonyme Coopérative Artisanale à capital variable and unifies 40 local cooperatives representing more than 9,600 artisan member businesses across France. The organization is governed by President Joël Schoenher and Director General Stéphane Windsor.

ORCAB's core offering is collective purchasing and mutualized services for building artisans. It negotiates bulk pricing with more than 700 national suppliers and distributes goods through two logistics platforms to member cooperatives. The network supports 41 ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE showrooms that provide consumer-facing retail presence for members, and operates IT infrastructure including the MASSI mutualized IT assistance program and the Eolas e-commerce platform enhanced with Algolia search. The organization also publishes the quarterly Artimag magazine, runs technical workshops (bending, carpentry, layout), and organizes the biennial Salon des artisans en coopérative trade show at the Parc des Expositions de la Beaujoire in Nantes, which attracted more than 11,000 visitors and 500 supplier partners at its March 2026 edition.

The revenue model is built on cooperative membership fees and purchasing-volume contributions flowing through ORCAB-negotiated supplier agreements, supplemented by logistics/transaction fees from the two distribution platforms. Pricing is not publicly disclosed at the ORCAB level and is set locally by each cooperative. The go-to-market is channel-partner driven: artisans join local cooperatives which are part of the ORCAB network, gaining access to negotiated prices, logistics, IT tools, and the ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE brand, complemented by an event-driven biennial trade show that brings together members, suppliers, and exhibitors. The primary customer segment is vertical: professional building artisans (masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and other construction trades), with no disclosed concentration in any single member account.

Name

Artisans ARTIPÔLE - COBAT

Legal name

ORCAB - Organisation des Coopératives d'achat des Artisans du Bâtiment

Website

https://orcab.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ORCAB is a French national cooperative purchasing union serving more than 9,600 building artisan businesses through 40 local cooperatives. It provides collective purchasing, two logistics platforms, 41 ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE showrooms, IT tools, and a biennial trade show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Mans, Pays de la Loire

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Collective Purchasing Services: ORCAB enables cooperatives to negotiate bulk purchasing prices from suppliers. The cooperative model allows artisans to benefit from volume discounts while maintaining their independence. Revenue comes from cooperative membership fees and purchasing volume contributions.
2. Logistics and Distribution: Two logistics platforms serve member cooperatives and artisans, providing distribution and delivery services for purchased materials and products.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ORCAB (Organisation des Coopératives d'achat des Artisans du Bâtiment) is the national union of purchasing cooperatives serving building artisans in France. COBAT is a member cooperative within this network. The organization aggregates buying power across 40 cooperatives serving more than 9,600 artisan building businesses, providing negotiated bulk pricing from 700+ suppliers, two logistics platforms, 41 ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE showrooms, IT tools including the MASSI support program and Eolas e-commerce platform, and the biennial Salon des artisans en coopérative trade show.

Product overview

Artisans ARTIPÔLE - COBAT operates as a cooperative purchasing network for building craftspeople, organized as a platform-plus-services model. The core offering is the cooperative purchasing system (Coopératives d'achat), supported by two logistics platforms, 41 exhibition showrooms, and professional IT tools including the Eolas e-commerce platform and MASSI IT support program. The network provides supplier referencing services, technical workshops (bending, carpentry, layout), and organizes the biennial Salon des artisans en coopérative trade show. COBAT is one of the approximately 40 member cooperatives within the broader ORCAB network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE: The public-facing brand name that brings together cooperatives and their member artisans around a common identity, shared communication territory, and values of respect for humans and collective strength.
• Orcab Coop

Products and services

• Coopératives d'achat (Purchasing Cooperatives) Network of 40 purchasing cooperatives that aggregate buying power for building artisans, providing competitive pricing through collective purchasing from suppliers.
• Plateformes logistiques (Logistics Platforms) Two logistics platforms supporting distribution and delivery services for cooperative members across France.
• Salles d'exposition ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE (Showroom Spaces) 41 exhibition/showroom spaces where cooperative members can display products to end customers, enhancing visibility and sales opportunities under the shared ARTISANS ARTIPÔLE brand.
• MASSI (Mutualisation d'Assistance au Système d'Information) IT system assistance program composed of data managers and IT specialists that guides cooperatives in evolving their information systems through shared tools including e-commerce websites, ERP software, and professional applications.
• Salon des artisans en coopérative Biennial private trade show bringing together cooperative members, suppliers, and industry professionals for networking, training, and showcasing the latest building techniques, materials, and innovations.
• Eolas E-commerce Platform E-commerce platform and website solution used by cooperatives for online product catalog browsing and purchasing, enhanced with Algolia search engine for product discovery.
• Services de référencement fournisseurs (Supplier Referencing Services) National supplier selection and referencing services across activity branches, with organized referencing days and inter-cooperative exchanges providing access to 700+ nationally referenced suppliers.
• Ateliers techniques (Technical Workshops) Workshop services including bending, carpentry, and layout facilities with a design office, plus training sessions for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 9,600 artisan businesses benefit from collective purchasing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor, gold partner, silver partner and bronze partner.

• UFCACstrategicOthersPartnership with UFCAC (Union Française des Cooperatives d'Artisans), a key cooperative organization supporting the artisan cooperative movement in France.
• Chambres de Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA France)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the French Chambers of Trades and Craft, providing institutional support and collaboration for artisan businesses.
• COOP FRstrategicOthersMembership in COOP FR, the French cooperative federation representing cooperative enterprises across all sectors.
• WE COOPstrategicOthersWE COOP is the federation of artisan and entrepreneur cooperatives, supporting cooperative identity and values. Daniel Le Guillant serves as president of both WE COOP and FFCGA.
• Coopératives CAB et MCSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal cooperatives hosting the Cooperative Flame event for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
• FIMA CARLO FRATTINIgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. Italian manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings.
• FLO FERMETURESgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of closures and shutters.
• ATLANTIC THERMORgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of thermal and hot water solutions.
• K-LINEgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of aluminum windows and doors.
• SPPFgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of sanitary equipment.
• SOTHOFERMgold partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium (OR) partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of doors and security solutions.
• GROHEsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. German manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings.
• GEBERITsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. Swiss manufacturer of sanitary technology.
• LA TOULOUSAINEsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of shutters and solar protection.
• VELUXsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. Danish manufacturer of roof windows and skylights.
• SOMFYsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of home automation and motorization.
• SAUNIER DUVAL VAILLANTsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of heating and hot water systems.
• GROUPE MILLET - LUMINEAsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of solar solutions.
• ALDESsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of ventilation and indoor air quality solutions.
• KOHLER FRANCE SANIJURAsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. Manufacturer of bathroom furniture and fixtures.
• EDYCEMsilver partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of concrete and construction materials.
• HENCObronze partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze partner for Salon 2026 trade show. Belgian manufacturer of heating and plumbing systems.
• KOSTUM Maison Cadioubronze partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of doors and entry systems.
• SOPROFENbronze partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of solar shading and closure systems.
• NICOLLbronze partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of building and plumbing products.
• ACTISbronze partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze partner for Salon 2026 trade show. French manufacturer of insulation materials.
• ENSTIB (École nationale supérieure des technologies et industries du bois)minorOthersNational school of wood technology and industries - Pierre Kurjeza graduated from this institution and ARDRIS cooperative sources from its network.
• Union régionale des Scop et Scic de l'OuestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional union of cooperative societies supporting Scop YOU during its transition and providing ongoing guidance on development, HR, and legal matters.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• BAUKING: German cooperative-style building materials retailer operating an aggregated purchasing model for trade professionals in Germany; comparable cross-border peer with similar member-driven distribution logic.
• Eurobaustoff: Europe's largest purchasing alliance of independent building materials retailers; functions as a cross-border version of ORCAB's collective-purchasing model across multiple European countries.

Broad incumbents

• POINT.P: Saint-Gobain's flagship French professional building materials distribution brand — the largest national chain of trade-focused branches, serving the same artisan customer base as ORCAB with corporate-scale logistics and digital tools.
• CEDEO: Saint-Gobain distribution brand focused on plumbing, heating and sanitary products for trade professionals; operates a multi-branch technical distribution network serving an overlapping building-trade customer base.
• La Plateforme du Bâtiment: Leroy Merlin/Adeo's professional distribution network for French building trades; offers deep logistics infrastructure and corporate-backed procurement, competing with ORCAB for the same professional purchasing volume.

Direct peers

• Tout Faire Matériaux: French independent distribution network focused on building materials professionals; provides aggregated purchasing, branding and operational support to member merchants in direct competition with ORCAB's value proposition.
• BIGMAT: French/European federation of independent building materials distributors serving trade professionals via an aggregated purchasing and shared-brand model; competes directly with ORCAB for artisan member businesses and supplier relationships.
• GEDIMAT: French independent network of building materials retailers serving building trade professionals; mirrors ORCAB's locally-owned, collectively-purchasing member-cooperative model for trade customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/Artipolebainbois
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@artisansartipole_orcab
• Facebookfacebook.com/Artipolebainbois
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/artisan-artip%C3%B4le-cobat

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Artisans ARTIPÔLE - COBAT