Establishments Chaveroche: the end of a family history begun in 1864 in Montpellier

Eric Chaveroche, dernier du nom à diriger l’entreprise familiale, fondée par son arrière-arrière grand-père Achille. Il vient de la vendre au groupe Hydralians. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Eric Chaveroche has just sold the company specializing in hydraulic pumps, more than a century old, founded by his great-great-grandfather, Achille, to the Hydralians group.

There aren't many centuries-old Montpellier companies. They can almost be counted on the fingers of one hand. We of course think of Caves Cairel, a house founded in 1844 (180 years ago!) by Philippe Cairel and managed today by Jacques from his "flagship" based in Tournezy.

Not far from there, another institution defies economic time. These are the Chaveroche establishments. They were founded in 1864 by Achille around a main activity of supplying hydraulic hand pumps. Originally established in the Chaptal district, the family business subsequently moved to the Tournezy area.

A "carefully considered"decision

In the meantime, several generations have watched over his destiny: that of Jean, the son of Achille, then Marius, then Jean-Franck, and, finally, Eric. But the family story has just come to an end. The latter has, in fact, just sold the company to the Hydralians group, a national giant in the water and landscape sectors, whose headquarters is in the Lyon region.

"The decision to sell was carefully considered, specifies Eric Chaveroche. My children are not inclined to take over the family business, I accepted the request from the directors of Hydralians. After a year and a half of negotiations, the deal came into force a few weeks ago. The new owner bought, in the same vein, the Chaveroche name.

"This is the life of family businesses"

The brand now specializes in water pumping systems, particularly for swimming pools, collective housing, communities, hotels, shellfish farming, public fountains, etc. The Chaveroche establishments thus join other specialized brands in the region, such as Distrigolfe in Mauguio or Pros-Jet, in Castelnau-le-Lez (renamed Hydralians Somair Gervat).

Former president of Medef

Eric Chaveroche is not unknown in the management world. N&eac; In 1964 (a century after the creation of the family business), he was, among other things, president of the Medef Montpellier Sète Center Hérault, from 2015 to 2015 2016, president of the CPAM de l’Hérault, from 2010 to 2016. 2018, but also administrator of CAF Hérault, Urssaf, Assedic, and the Economic Council of the Métropole de Montpellier. In recent years, he has entered the political field, running in 2020 in the municipal elections of Saint-Jean-de-Vedas. In 2017, he was also present at the event. in legislative elections. And in 2022, he obtained the LR and UDI nomination in the legislative elections.

Like the acquired companies, the Chaveroche brand has taken a new name, that of its owner: Hydralians. "A page is turning, but that’s the life of family businesses. One day, they pass into other hands", slips Eric Chaveroche, a bit fatalistic.