In Brusque, in Aveyron, at Bouvet molds and injection (BMI) plastic is really fantastic

Pierre Bouvet and his brother-in-law Didier manufacture molds for the injection of plastic materials. Midi Libre – F.MAYET

Third article, in a series of five, on dynamic and innovative companies in South Aveyron. With BMI (Bouvet Moules et Injection), a family company created in Brusque in 1988 and which works in the plastics industry. 

Route de Camarès, at the entrance to Brusque, the BMI company (Bouvet molds and injection) blends into the decor. No flashy signs, no modern buildings. A discreet entrance to an office area which extends towards the workshops. "We are a family business created in 1988 by my father Bernard Bouvet," says Pierre, the son, who took over the reins in 2010.

"Our specialty is the manufacture of molds for the injection of plastic materials. It was my father’s profession, first as an employee in the Lyon region." Pierre Bouvet was first trained, in 1993, by his father and his brother-in-law. The latter is still in the company which today has three employees (including an accountant and a salesperson).

Manhole covers and fly swatters

The workshop, or the row of machines (milling, turning, injection press…) can impress the novice, remains a place of extreme precision. Pierre Bouvet shows a mold specially designed for the manufacture of manhole covers. An order worth several hundred thousand euros. More general public, with the possibility of direct ordering on the company's website (1): the production of plastic utensils such as, for example, a protective visor. "We launched this in 2020 for Covid with the desire to make it available for direct purchase via the internet. It’s a plus for making the company known but it’s not enough."

Windshield squeegees, egg cartons, fly swatters – the famous Fascagat released in 2013 – and other household plastic buckets in rainbow colors are also sold to some supermarkets that work directly and hardware stores. "Essentially in the Occitanie region."

Products launched during the pandemic

Pierre Bouvet remembers the idea of ​​the fly swatter (around 10,000 sales per year)."I started from the premise of making a clean product that we could use on a daily basis. We also wanted to make eco-cups but it didn’t work due to lack of flocking partners. The idea for egg boxes was suggested to me by a friend, a chicken breeder and marketer." On this product a private clientele also emerged during the pandemic. "People who had taken chickens into their homes…"  All of this remains produced in an almost artisanal manner. "We launch production two to three times a year with volumes of a few thousand pieces each time.&quot ;

"The manufacture of a mold is expensive and if the depreciation is not guaranteed behind…"

In practice BMI therefore manufactures molds, with several machines, before carrying out the injection (with a single machine). "The plastic material comes from oil groups." Pierre Bouvet is aware of the know-how of his company but recognizes that he does not have the sales force to aim for truly significant development. "We do have some ideas that we are putting aside for the moment. The manufacture of a mold is expensive and if the depreciation is not guaranteed behind…"

And to cite the example of the windshield squeegee launched three years ago. "We hardly sold any! It seems that people prefer to turn on their cars and pollute the planet." Nevertheless Pierre Bouvet announces a turnover & quot;which looks significantly better this year than for the three previous years. From September 2023 to September 2024 we will have exploded the figures."

(1) www.bmiaveyron.com Contact: 09 66 97 94 92.
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