THE HEIRS OF THE ECONOMY. The saga of the Masses, founders of the Narbonne Accessories group

Bruno and Yannick Masse: between them, they made Narbonne Accessories, launched by their father Alain, one of the most dynamic groups in the region. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

Initially, Jean, the grandfather, was a cabinetmaker. Alain, the father, was a fairground worker. Yannick and Bruno, the children, are at the head of a group specializing in accessories for caravans.

The family path is, we agree, not the most homogeneous. But, upon arrival, the facts are there: the Narbonne Accessories group, based on the edge of the A9 motorway, on the outskirts of the Aude city, is today the ;one of the most important in the region.

Specializing in the sale of accessories for leisure vehicles, mainly caravans and camper vans, it is targeting a turnover of 240 million euros this year. 39;business. Which is far from being… accessory. And it still employs 750 people.

Alain the father, "was born fairground"

However, at the start, we are far from the caravan and the camper van. The history of the group, today led by Bruno (58 years old) and Yannick Masse (54 years old), two brothers, goes back a long way. It takes its source in a universe totally far from today's activity. Even if…

Indeed, it all begins with Jean, the grandfather. "My grandfather was a cabinetmaker by trade, Yannick begins by saying. One day, he decides to change careers and becomes a showman. It offered a traveling games room. Alain, the father of the two current leaders, "was born a fairground". Difficult, in these cases, "to study".

Business studies for children

It was in 1971, when his children were born, that he decided to settle down and launch himself, in Narbonne, into the trading of new caravans and caravans. #39;second hand. "He started by repairing and selling them". The parents and the two brothers themselves lived in a caravan, installed on land adjoining the group's historic site.

A few years later, in 1980, he developed the activity of selling accessories for caravans and motorhomes, already relying on the concept of mail order sales. . The children are encouraged to study: Bruno will go to a business school in Lyon, Yannick to a school in Lille.

50-50 associations with dealers

Bruno joined the company in 1992, Yannick in 1995. "We had no pressure from our parents, but the challenge was interesting". The two sons then capitalized on the know-how and image of the father, starting from the single store under the brand "Narbonne Caravanes".

“We started by developing a network of stores, explains Yannick. We had repair know-how and accessories know-how. But the means were lacking. "We went to see dealers and we offered them a 50-50 association on the stores".

"We were going too fast for my father"

In 1998, Alain, their father, retired. "We were going too fast for him", smiles Yannick. The new generation was in charge and they didn't want to hang around. Today, the network has more than 150 stores, including 63 under the 'Narbonne Accessories' brand, leader on the accessories market in France.

The two brothers don't take the time to breathe. Three years ago, they purchased integrated production units for motorhome accessories. "They make it possible to supply our offer". A few years earlier, the network had expanded with the acquisition of around twenty motorhome dealerships, under the brand "Tout pour leisure".

"Our father left us values"

Always on the move, three years ago they launched Sunroad Equipment, an umbrella European brand, bringing together all accessories activities. ;nbsp; Because the group has also opened stores on the continent, in Germany, Spain, the Benelux, Great Britain and Italy.

For Bruno and Yannick Masse, history is written from strong family roots. "Our father left us the values ​​of work and seriousness", they say. “When you start a business, you need a person, an idea, a good concept, funding, ;a good reputation and good know-how.

The father's fame went beyond regional borders

They relied on these last two assets, left to them by their father. "People traveled 300 km to come here, to Narbonne, to have their caravan or camper van repaired,” recalls Yannick. Who adds: "we used this reputation recognized by all motorhome owners in France".

They pay homage to their father. "He let us do it". And even, "he sometimes found himself surprised that we sometimes went too quickly". Today, the group has 100% family capital. The owners are Alain, Bruno and Yannick. The three of them sign this tremendous success.

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