Could you describe your activity to us in a few words?
Olivier Venien: “As a printer, we are rather specialized in what we call variable data. Our equipment is all digital. Each sheet that comes out of the machines is different. In the Rennes area, there are not very many of us doing this kind of thing. This is truly our core business. We have some large clients like Yves Rocher or major retail players like Carrefour. Behind it, we have a few institutional investors and many small and medium-sized companies. We can go from the brochure to the shelf stopper, to the POS (point-of-sale advertising, Editor’s note). But today, with laser cuts, we can also respond to sometimes very bizarre requests, like goodies. »
Is your core business still paper?
“This still represents 80% of the turnover. Everything else involves cutting, routing, packing, shipping. Our expertise lies in everything related to paper finishing. After the 2008 crisis, we equipped ourselves with machines to produce varnish and digital gilding in very small series. »
Has Covid had an impact on your activity?
“It forced us to reinvent ourselves. In 2019, we worked 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It was truly high production. But I didn’t feel this pattern coming back after covid. We had to see things differently. We worked a lot on automation, mainly at the start of the chain: making it easier to place an order, validate files, etc. Which unfortunately forced us to reduce the workforce. »
That’s to say ?
“We went from 50 to 30, but not only because of Covid. We subcontracted part of the Offset, which we had kept, to colleagues. At first, we thought we would keep the shaping. But very quickly, we realized that there was no point in going to print 150 km away, bringing back the raw paper and shaping it. »
You created the Agent Paper brand in 2015. Tell us more…
“When we print, we use 200 or 300 sheets and there is still paper. We keep it. But after a few years, you end up with tons of paper that you don’t use because it has a particular color or weight. The majority of printers put this in the bins and it is recycled. So, we’re making new paper. But destroying white paper to make white or colored paper again is a bit absurd. We wondered how we could reuse this? This is where the idea of making objects with these scraps came from, with origami, paper trophies… After a test in a pop-up store in Rennes and Nantes, we ended up opening two own stores in Nantes and Bordeaux. And then we work with resellers. »
How many resellers sell Agent Paper products?
Joanna Venien: “I would say 150 active resellers throughout France and a little in Europe, in Spain, in Portugal, in Belgium”.
Big step coming in 2024, you will pass on your business. What is planned?
Olivier Venien: “The idea was to hand over rather than sell. We have been approached several times, but if our children were interested, we would prefer to keep it within the family. With my wife, we have other desires, among others to spend a little time in Senegal where we try, through an association, to help ensure that the children go to school and have social security coverage. minimum to seek treatment, etc. »
When do you plan to hand over the business?
“In two months (January, Editor’s note), the majority shareholders will be our children and our partner Frédéric Pommier. And in a few months, we won’t have any more shares. For two years we’ve been scratching our heads: “We’re going there, we’re not going there. » We took the time necessary for everyone to position themselves. »
Joanna, you are 33 years old. Were you prepared to become a business manager with your brother?
Joanna Venien: “I am a nurse by training. I worked in hospital for six years. In 2015, I wanted to change departments. I had children, I worked far from home. And it was during this period that Agent Pepper was created. I naturally gave up my job. I returned to the company but I remain a volunteer firefighter nurse in my personal time. »
A few years ago, parents’ speech was more like “We won’t leave you that, it’s a poisoned gift”…
But there is a difference between joining the company as an employee and becoming its owner…
“A few years ago, parents’ speech was more like “We won’t let you have that, it’s a poisoned chalice”. And then, in fact, yes, we realize that the four of us can do great things, it works very well. The company continues to grow. So of course, it is a financial burden, but it is also a burden in terms of human responsibility. There are employees behind. We have 30 families here. »
What is the Micro Lynx and Agent Paper project for the coming years?
“We’re not sure yet. We have already had difficulty making our decision to resume. Now that that’s done, we’ll move on to the writing phase of the project, with what suits us. But we must in any case continue to make Micro Lynx and its know-how prosper. »
Olivier Venien: “What is the market of tomorrow? We know that there will be even less paper. Will it have to be completely replaced by the other materials we use today? Will our children get more involved in events? It will be up to them to decide. »
Will you leave a spare key with your parents?
Joanna Venien: “Yes (smile). Already, mom hasn’t finished working. He has a few years left. And then the thinking head, she is still there (she points at her father, Editor’s note). »
2024-01-01 11:11:26
#Rennes #children #company #continue #live
