What SOCIETE A C M does

ACM France (legally ACM-FRANCE, formerly Atelier Chastang Mécanique) is a privately held French manufacturer of special-purpose industrial machines and tooling, founded in 1994 by Roger Chastang and acquired in February 2014 by Richard Silvestre. The company designs, engineers, and builds precision machines in-house at its Creuzier-le-Neuf facility in Allier, with an integrated workflow covering CAD/3D modeling, CNC machining, electrical discharge machining, painting, assembly, and testing. Its product portfolio includes edge coloring machines (MAC 2 series and Mini Mac), programmable and standard riveting machines, punching machines, handle forming and trimming machines, strap cutting, gluing, hemming tables, and sanding equipment. ACM France also produces Libergo, an ergonomic wearable support system for leather goods operators, and holds two granted patents (edge coloring without overflow; programmable riveting with tool recognition) plus a third pending patent on load-measuring riveting safety.

The company's commercial focus is on luxury leather goods manufacturers and their subcontractors — including LVMH/Louis Vuitton ateliers, Chanel suppliers, Hermès, Fleurus, and Sofama — which account for approximately 90-98% of activity. Additional revenue comes from cosmetics (notably L'Oréal CAP in Vichy) and aerospace customers. ACM France sells directly to enterprise clients via quote-based B2B contracts, conducting on-site demonstrations and participating in the Simac Tanning Tech trade show in Milan; export sales reached 33% of revenue in 2019 (USA 20%, Spain 14%, Portugal 3%). After-sales maintenance and training services complement the machine sales. In 2024 the company diversified into consumer design furniture by launching the Ergane brand through wholly-owned subsidiary AR2C.

Following the 2014 turnaround, ACM France grew revenue from €650-700K to €5M by 2019 (a 7.7x increase), earned three consecutive Les Échos/Statista Champions de la Croissance rankings, and completed a €2.5M facility expansion in 2023 that tripled production space from 750 m² to 2,300 m². The company is family-controlled by President Richard Silvestre and General Director Annabelle Silvestre, employs 22 people, and operates without external institutional investors. A planned ACM Portugal subsidiary for Iberian market entry was announced in 2020 but paused due to COVID-19.

Name

SOCIETE A C M

Legal name

ACM-FRANCE

Website

https://acm-france.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACM France is a privately held French manufacturer that designs and builds custom special-purpose industrial machines — including edge coloring, riveting, and punching equipment — primarily for luxury leather goods manufacturers such as LVMH, Chanel, and Hermès, with additional solutions for cosmetics and aerospace clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special-Purpose Industrial Machinery

NAICS

Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515), Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury & Designer Leather Goods Manufacturing (IMAOAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business & Work Bags Manufacturing (Briefcases/Laptop Bags/Tool Bags) (IMAOAHAD), Finishing & Surface Coating (Pigmented/Aniline/Embossing/Topcoat) (IMAOAGAG), Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)

Keywords

• Special purpose machines
• Leather goods machinery
• Industrial tooling
• Luxury manufacturing equipment
• Precision mechanics

Headquarters

HQ city

Creuzier-le-neuf

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Special Machine Sales: Design, manufacture, and sale of custom special-purpose industrial machines for leather goods, cosmetics, and aerospace industries. Machines include edge coloring, riveting, punching, edge folding, sanding, strap cutting, and gluing equipment. Revenue is primarily one-time capital equipment sales with long sales cycles to luxury manufacturers.
2. Ergane Furniture Brand: Launched in 2024, Ergane is a design furniture brand creating pieces such as sofas, armchairs, benches, and chairs. Production is outsourced to ACM France teams and local artisans via the subsidiary AR2C.
3. Maintenance and Training Services: On-site and remote technical maintenance for installed machines, along with customer training programs on machine operation and optimization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACM France designs, manufactures, and sells special-purpose industrial machines and tooling for luxury leather goods manufacturing (edge coloring, riveting, punching, handle forming/trimming, strap cutting, gluing, hemming, sanding). Approximately 90% of activity serves the luxury leather goods sector, with additional solutions for cosmetics (e.g., L'Oréal) and aerospace industries. The company operates a vertically integrated design-to-production workflow in-house, including engineering bureau, CNC machining, EDM, painting, and assembly.

Product overview

ACM France is a manufacturer of special machines and tooling for luxury leather goods (maroquinerie de luxe), with solutions for cosmetics and aerospace industries. The product portfolio centers on precision machinery for leather processing: edge coloring machines (MAC 2 series including Confort and Mini Mac variants), programmable and standard riveting machines, punching machines (démontable, embout fin, double, and NG models), handle forming and trimming machines (manual and automatic for straight/curved handles), strap cutting machines, gluing machines, hemming tables, and sanding equipment (vertical sander, sanding bench, dust extraction table). The company also developed Libergo, an ergonomic support apparatus for worker safety. In 2024, ACM France diversified by launching Ergane, a furniture design sub-brand. Services include integrated engineering (bureau d'études), training, and maintenance. All products are designed and manufactured in-house at their Creuzier-le-Neuf facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ergane: Design furniture brand created and directed by Anabelle Silvestre, featuring unique pieces made with quality materials and high-quality finishes. First collection includes sofas, armchairs, ottomans, benches and chairs for interior and exterior.

Products and services

• MAC 2 - Machine à Teinter les Tranches Patented machine for coloring leather edges without overflow, with adjustable rotation speed, stainless steel components, and electric column for height adjustment (standard model, 50 kg).
• MAC 2 Confort - Machine à Teinter Enhanced edge coloring machine with front-facing variator for precise wheel rotation control, independent reservoir and wheel for easy cleaning, and extended arm for easier part passage.
• Mini Mac - Mini Machine à Teinter Portable edge coloring machine weighing under 5.7 kg, designed for fine angles and transportable use in luxury leather goods finishing.
• Riveteuse Standard Démontable Versatile riveting machine with 60mm stroke, 500 kg load capacity, electrically adjustable work station, and touchscreen interface for intuitive operation.
• Riveteuse Standard Non Démontable Riveting machine with 60mm stroke, 800 kg load capacity, 1/10mm precision adjustment, and solid neck for perfect alignment.
• Riveteuse Programmable avec Reconnaissance des Outils Patented programmable riveting machine with tool recognition, automatic settings adjustment, 800 kg load capacity, and data export capability for consistent quality control.
• Poinçonneuse Démontable Punching machine with 50mm stroke, 140mm neck depth, 550 kg work pressure, and two operation modes: manual approach or bimanual approach.
• Poinçonneuse à Embout Fin Precision punching machine with integrated chip recovery in the neck, magnetic tool changing system, and 160 kg weight.
• Poinçonneuse Double Double punching machine with adjustable center distance (205-305mm) able to perform multiple holes simultaneously with different center distances.
• Poinçonneuse NG Next generation punching machine with 60x60mm maximum cutting surface, punch matrix technology that shears material without dulling punches, and magnetic tool system.
• Machine à Former et à Araser les Poignées Droites Manuelle Manual forming and trimming machine for straight handles (T5, T7, T9), 540mm maximum forming length, with electrically adjustable work station height.
• Machine à Former et à Araser les Poignées Courbes Manuelle Manual forming and trimming machine for curved handles with 500mm maximum forming length.
• Machine à Former et à Araser les Poignées Courbes Automatique Automatic forming and trimming machine for curved handles using electric actuators (no pneumatic energy), 1000 kg weight, with recipe-based model changing.
• Machine à Débiter les Torons Droite Automatic strap cutting machine for T5, T7, T9 torons with automatic blade wear compensation, 155 kg weight.
• Machine à Débiter les Torons en Biais Angled strap cutting machine for already-closed handles with low/high pressure maintenance options (50N/280N at 6 bar) and 146 Nm cutting torque.
• Encolleuse Precision gluing machine with 730mm width, 600mm depth, 100 kg weight, and 300mm electric table stroke.
• Table à Remborder Hemming table with 700mm width, 650mm depth, adjustable height (900-1200mm), 35 kg weight, 230V electrical and 6 bar pneumatic power.
• Ponceuse Verticale Vertical sander with 80 dB noise level, 6mm mandrin, variable speed control, 58 kg weight, ideal for precise sanding of holes and rounded parts.
• Banc de Ponçage Sanding bench with adjustable belt (15-40mm width, 1750mm length), 80 dB noise level, 60 kg weight.
• Table d'Aspiration Cyclonic dust extraction table with no filter, 80 dB noise level, 64 kg weight, and variable speed control.
• Libergo Ergonomic Arm Support System Ergonomic support apparatus designed to relieve arms, shoulders and lower back during repeated lifting movements in leather goods manufacturing, using straps attached to elastic tensioners.
• Ergane Design Furniture Design furniture brand offering sofas, armchairs, ottomans, benches, and chairs for indoor and outdoor use, with emotionally evocative designs such as the Plumy bench made of resistant aluminum with 'old leather' finishes; production via AR2C subsidiary using ACM France teams and local artisans.
• Bureau d'Études - Engineering Office Services Integrated engineering department with qualified engineers and technicians specializing in special machine design, mechanical parts, tooling, and prototyping, working autonomously or in co-engineering with clients.
• Maintenance Services Reactive remote or on-site maintenance service for installed machines, with a qualified technician team optimizing machine performance and longevity.
• Training Services Dedicated training sessions and refresher courses for optimal machine use, provided by the ACM France team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivery time for edge coloring machine reduced from 4 weeks to 48 hours (90% reduction) through flux tendü reorganization
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• CCI Moulins-Vichy (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2014Chamber of Commerce and Industry provided support for ACM France's acquisition by Richard Silvestre in 2014, including business plan validation and connection with regional business resources.
• Réseau Entreprendre AuvergnesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneur network that provided mentorship, business plan validation by a professional committee, and unsecured honor loans (prêts d'honneur) to support Richard Silvestre's acquisition of ACM France in 2014. Associated with year-long personalized coaching from an experienced local business leader.
• BCP Conseil (Clermont-Ferrand)supportingOthersClermont-Ferrand-based advisory firm that connected Richard Silvestre with Roger Chastang (ACM France's founder) for the business succession in 2013-2014.
• Vichy Communauté DéveloppementsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development agency of Vichy Agglomeration that supports local business development. Annabelle Silvestre was active with this organization following ACM France's acquisition. The agency also facilitates business connections and supports company participation in local economic events.
• Réseau Auvergne EntreprendresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional entrepreneurial network in which Richard Silvestre participates, connecting with other local entrepreneurs for peer support, knowledge sharing, and business development.
• LVMH / Ateliers Louis VuittoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACM France supplies special machines to LVMH's Louis Vuitton ateliers in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule and to the broader LVMH supply chain in luxury leather goods. Louis Vuitton is a major luxury brand with significant manufacturing presence in Allier.
• L'Oréal (CAP L'Oréal / Cosmétique Active Production)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACM France has partnered with L'Oréal for machine maintenance and development of integrated systems on L'Oréal production lines in Vichy for two years (as of 2020). L'Oréal is a world-leading cosmetics company with a major production site in the Vichy region.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lectra: France-based global leader in cutting solutions for fashion, leather goods, furniture, and automotive. Like ACM, Lectra supplies specialized industrial machines and software to luxury leather goods manufacturers, making it the closest publicly listed comparable for ACM's niche.
• Comelz: Italian maker of leather cutting, skiving, and panel-preparation machines widely used by handbag and footwear manufacturers. Comparable to ACM as a specialized Italian-leather-machinery vendor competing for the same luxury brand capex budgets.
• Atom International: Italian manufacturer of leather finishing and polishing machines used by tanneries and luxury leather goods producers. Directly comparable to ACM because it sells specialty capital equipment into the same Italian/French luxury leather goods supply chain.
• Strima: Polish manufacturer of leather cutting, spreading, and measuring machines used by leather goods and garment producers. Comparable to ACM as a European specialty-machinery vendor competing for leather goods production capex.
• Comec: Italian supplier of machines for shoes and leather goods, including lasting, finishing, and assembly equipment. Overlaps directly with ACM's leather goods process-machinery portfolio and Italian/French luxury customer base.
• Fortuna Spezialmaschinen: German specialist in leather splitting, setting, and measuring machines for tanneries and leather goods makers. Comparable to ACM as a European precision-machinery vendor serving leather goods production, though focused on earlier-stage hide processing.

Broad incumbents

• Gerber Technology: US-headquartered provider of cutting and automation solutions across apparel, transportation, and industrial markets. Comparable to ACM as a cutting/specialty-machinery incumbent serving leather goods and apparel manufacturers, but at much broader scale and across multiple industries.
• Zünd Systemtechnik: Swiss manufacturer of digital cutting systems for apparel, leather, composites, and signage. Comparable to ACM as a high-precision industrial cutting/specialty-machinery vendor serving leather goods production, though with a much wider portfolio and customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acm-france

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 SOCIETE A C M