SODIME
Groupe VMS (operating via sodime.fr) is a privately held French construction and material handling equipment distributor founded in 1994, serving BTP, agricultural, industrial, and leisure customers across the Occitanie region through three agencies, equipment rental and sales, spare parts, and after-sales services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersGiromagny (near Rabastens), France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SODIME does
SODIME is the web domain through which Groupe VMS (Viguier Manutention Service) — a privately held French SARL founded in 1994 and registered in Castres, Tarn — operates its digital presence. Groupe VMS runs a regional equipment distribution and rental platform headquartered in Giroussens (near Rabastens), with 60 employees across three Occitanie agencies (Rabastens, Mazamet, and Lézignan-Corbières). The company is controlled by the Novellon family, with Michel Novellon serving as Director of Publication and Logistics Manager, and operates with a registered capital of €15,200 under SIREN 398 501 189.
The core business is multi-brand construction and material handling equipment: authorized dealer for Merlo (telehandlers), Kobelco (mini/midi excavators), XCMG (excavators and wheel loaders), Kramer (loaders including the electric 5055E), Haulotte (aerial platforms), Clark (forklifts), AUSA (dumpers), Magni (rotating telehandlers), and used Hitachi equipment. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining short- and long-term equipment rental (230+ SKUs), new and used equipment sales (284+ SKUs), spare parts, EPI/personal protective equipment, after-sales repair services (SAV), periodic safety inspections (VGP), and the recently launched LOCLIB 24/7 self-service rental locker system.
Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supplemented by inside phone sales, an e-commerce website with quote-request flows, and a leisure vehicle subsidiary (Actions Passions) distributing CAN-AM, CF MOTO, and BETA quads, SSVs, and motorcycles. Customers span four horizontal segments — construction (BTP), agriculture, industrial, and leisure — with no single end-customer disclosed other than one named farmer, indicating a fragmented SMB/mid-market base across southern France.
SODIME firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SODIME
- Legal name
- Viguier Manutention Service
- Website
- https://sodime.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Groupe VMS (operating via sodime.fr) is a privately held French construction and material handling equipment distributor founded in 1994, serving BTP, agricultural, industrial, and leisure customers across the Occitanie region through three agencies, equipment rental and sales, spare parts, and after-sales services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SODIME industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Equipment Rental and Sales
- NAICS
- Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120), Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)
- SIC
- Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Surface Preparation & Compaction Equipment Rental/Leasing (Compactors, Rollers, Grinders) (TLABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD), Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE), Aerial Access & Lift Equipment MRO (Boom/Scissor Lifts, Telehandlers) (TLAKAHAD)
Keywords
Where SODIME is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Giromagny (near Rabastens)
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
SODIME business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental: Short-term and long-term rental of construction and material handling equipment including telehandlers, excavators, loaders, aerial work platforms, and specialized machinery. Equipment available immediately for rental.
- Equipment Sales: Sale of new and used construction equipment including telescopic handlers, excavators, loaders, sweepers, truck-mounted platforms. Both new and second-hand equipment available.
- Spare Parts: Sale of replacement parts for all equipment brands sold and rented.
- EPI and Small Equipment: Sale of Personal Protective Equipment (EPI) and small tools for construction and industrial use.
- SAV (After-Sales Service): Repair and maintenance services for customer equipment, respecting manufacturer specifications using original parts.
- VGP (Periodic Safety Verification): Annual safety inspections of equipment, delivering control certificates to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Leisure Vehicles: Sale of recreational vehicles including QUAD, SSV (Side-by-Side), and motorcycles (CAN-AM, CF MOTO, BETA brands) through Actions Passions subsidiary.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment rental with immediate availability |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | New and used equipment sales |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SODIME product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SODIME / Groupe VMS specializes in the rental and sale of construction and material handling equipment in the Occitanie region of France. The company distributes a multi-brand portfolio of telehandlers, excavators, wheeled loaders, and aerial work platforms from manufacturers including Merlo, Kobelco, XCMG, Kramer, Haulotte, Clark, AUSA, and Magni. Beyond equipment transactions, the company provides spare parts, after-sales repair and maintenance (SAV), annual periodic safety inspections (VGP), and a 24/7 self-service rental system (LOCLIB) for flexible equipment pickup.
Product overview
Groupe VMS operates as a comprehensive construction and material handling equipment company offering a diversified portfolio of products and services. The core offering includes a wide range of telehandlers (rotating, compact, and panoramic series from Merlo), wheeled loaders (Kramer and XCMG brands), mini/midi excavators, and aerial work platforms. The company operates on a platform-service model combining equipment sales (new and used) with rental services, 24/7 self-service rental (LOCLIB), periodic safety inspections (VGP), and after-sales maintenance/repair (SAV). With 60 employees across 3 locations in Occitanie, France, the company has been serving construction, agriculture, industrial, and leisure sectors for over 30 years. The multi-brand approach includes authorized dealership for MERLO, KOBELCO, XCMG, AUSA, CLARK, KRAMER, HAULOTTE, JLG, and GENIE equipment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Equipment Rental Services Short and long-term rental of construction and material handling equipment with 230+ products available including telehandlers, excavators, loaders, aerial platforms, and compactors. Rental pricing is usage-based and equipment is available immediately.
- Equipment Sales (New and Used) Sale of new and used construction equipment including telehandlers, excavators, wheeled loaders, aerial work platforms, with 284+ products catalogued from brands such as Merlo, Kobelco, XCMG, Kramer, Haulotte, and Magni.
- LOCLIB 24/7 Self-Service Rental
Quantifiable outcome
- Equipment available immediately for rental
Companies that use SODIME
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SODIME technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
SODIME partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered primary, core and minor.
- MERLOprimaryLeading brand for telescopic handlers. VMS offers the full Merlo range including compact, stabilized, rotative, and high-capacity telehandlers. Merlo models featured include ROTO series rotatives, PANORAMIC series, TURBOFARMER series, and eWorker electric models. Merlo has been recognized with Machine of the Year 2015 award for compact telescopic handlers.
- KOBELCOprimaryJapanese excellence in hydraulic excavators. VMS distributes Kobelco midi excavators including SK75SR-7 (8t zero swing), SK85MSR-7 (9t zero swing with iNDr noise reduction system), and related models known for reliability and performance.
- XCMGprimaryNew reference in construction equipment. VMS offers XCMG excavators including XE80E midi excavator (8.5t), and wheel loaders including XC958E (5t), XC968E (6t), XC978E (7t for quarries), and XC988 (8t maximum robustness with 260hp and 4m³ bucket).
- KRAMERcoreInnovation in material handling. VMS distributes Kramer wheel loaders including models 5035, 5040, 5050, 5055, and the electric 5055E (zero CO2 emissions, electric drive). Known for compact dimensions and four-wheel drive capability.
- AUSAcoreExcellence in off-road dumpers. VMS distributes AUSA brand dumpers for construction and site applications.
- CLARKcoreExcellence and innovation in forklift trucks. VMS distributes CLARK industrial forklift equipment.
- HAULOTTEcoreAerial work platform specialist. VMS offers Haulotte equipment including the HA 20 LE PR hybrid nacelle for rental, known for environmental performance.
- OPTIcoreOPTIM cranes for construction. VMS offers OPTI crane for rental with 1,500kg maximum load capacity at base and 360kg at tip, 19.5m hook height. Can be towed by van or pickup on 3.5t trailer, installed by single person in 30 minutes.
- HITACHIcoreJapanese excavator brand. VMS offers used Hitachi equipment including ZX135-6 midi excavators with detailed specifications (ISUZU engine, hydraulic systems, Engcon tilt rotator attachments).
- MAGNIcoreRotating telehandler specialist. VMS offers Magni RTH series rotating telehandlers including RTH 5.15 (5,500kg capacity, 15.20m lift height) and RTH 6.26 (6,000kg capacity, 25.70m lift height) for heavy lifting applications.
- AgoravitaminorWeb hosting and website maintenance provider. Agoravita provides direct and permanent storage services for the Groupe VMS website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SODIME competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Locagri: French equipment rental company focused on agricultural and construction material handling equipment. Directly comparable business model (rental of telehandlers and farm equipment) with overlapping target customer segments in French agriculture.
- Bergerat Monnoyeur: Authorized Caterpillar dealer in France distributing and renting construction equipment (excavators, loaders, telehandlers). Comparable as a multi-brand construction equipment distributor offering new/used sales, rental, parts, and after-sales service — though at larger national scale.
- Mateco France: European specialist in aerial work platform rental (nacelles, boom lifts, scissor lifts). Comparable as a focused equipment rental specialist with similar aerial platform offerings (Haulotte, etc.) that VMS carries through its Haulotte partnership.
- Locapro: French regional equipment rental company serving construction professionals with telehandlers, excavators, and aerial platforms. Highly comparable operating model and customer base to Groupe VMS, but at a smaller geographic footprint.
- Riwal France: Dutch-founded aerial platform rental specialist with French operations. Comparable as an aerial work platform-focused rental operator overlapping directly with VMS's Haulotte aerial platform offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Kiloutou: One of the largest equipment rental companies in France with hundreds of branches nationwide. Directly comparable business model (rental + sales + services for construction and material handling equipment), but operates at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth than VMS.
- LOXAM: European leader in equipment rental with the largest branch network in France. Same core offering (telehandlers, aerial platforms, excavators, loaders) with multi-brand distribution model, but operates at industrial scale well beyond a regional player like VMS.
Others
- Groupe Dubreuil: French industrial and automotive distribution group with construction equipment interests. Comparable as a diversified French distribution business model, though operating at much larger scale across multiple verticals.
Regional players
- Pouillard: French regional construction equipment distributor and rental company operating in eastern France. Comparable as a multi-brand authorized dealer offering telehandlers, excavators, and aerial platforms with full-service (sales, rental, parts, SAV) capabilities.
- Ducker Diffusion: French regional distributor of construction equipment (Merlo telehandler dealer). Highly comparable as a regional Merlo/telehandler distribution and rental specialist, though serving different French regions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SODIME social profiles
Digital presenceSODIME financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SODIME leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SODIME funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SODIME M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SODIME
What does SODIME do?
SODIME / Groupe VMS specializes in the rental and sale of construction and material handling equipment in the Occitanie region of France. The company distributes a multi-brand portfolio of telehandlers, excavators, wheeled loaders, and aerial work platforms from manufacturers including Merlo, Kobelco, XCMG, Kramer, Haulotte, Clark, AUSA, and Magni. Beyond equipment transactions, the company provides spare parts, after-sales repair and maintenance (SAV), annual periodic safety inspections (VGP), and a 24/7 self-service rental system (LOCLIB) for flexible equipment pickup.
Is SODIME a public or private company?
SODIME is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was SODIME founded?
SODIME was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SODIME based?
SODIME is headquartered in Giromagny (near Rabastens), France, in the Europe region.
How does SODIME make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental is the primary driver. The others are equipment Sales, spare Parts, EPI and Small Equipment, SAV (After-Sales Service), VGP (Periodic Safety Verification) and leisure Vehicles.
Who are SODIME's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Locagri, Bergerat Monnoyeur, Mateco France, Locapro and Riwal France. Broad incumbents are Kiloutou and LOXAM. Groupe Dubreuil is listed as an others. Regional players are Pouillard and Ducker Diffusion.
Does SODIME have an API?
No public API is recorded for SODIME.
What industry is SODIME in?
SODIME's product category is Construction Equipment Rental and Sales. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAJ, Surface Preparation & Compaction Equipment Rental/Leasing (Compactors, Rollers, Grinders), with a secondary code of IMACAFAD, Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers). Its NAICS code is 33392 and its SIC code is 3530.