THE GROUP

«Never again! ». It was in 1955… in the school playground that a scruffy child had just been beaten up. The child was called Patrice and his words he spoke gave rise to a well tempered character. The little scruff had no right of reprisal, but contrary to appearances, Patrice had just won his first battle.

A few years later, the student Patrice COUPECHOUX celebrated his graduation from the National School of Fine Arts in Nantes. The young graduate and also a young married man, entered his working life at a run. The success story began. In his veins ran unlimited energy, ambition was matched by a love for life, and his heart was full of dreams but with a character of steel. Patrice started work with his father who ran a small company of pharmacy shop-fitters. However, the son rapidly took over from his father. He knew what he wanted. To be independent was the sole consideration. The premises were small but the ambition was big.

The adventure started in the City of Nantes, where the suburbs join the City. The Boulevard du Massacre was their first address. A name not really predestined for what followed... The massacre was turned into a tidal wave, which swept through the quiet world of the corner Chemist. New innovations and creative ideas hit the old world of the Chemists shop. The first premises became too small and the company needed to move. They expanded into a new address on an enterprise zone, to highlight their achievements… Nobody could argue, they were successful. The imagination and energy of the young man were undeniable. Their development attracted the right people and gave a structure to the enterprise, which continued to expand.

It was during these years that the “Group” was born. From the heydays full of hope, when excitement rewarded hard work and success, to innovation and vision needed by clients and the markets, enquiries kept coming. The Group anticipated movements, and placed its mark on a new style of shop fitting. It invented commercial interior design, graphic design and the organisation of customer flows for pharmacies… It expanded from health care into housing, offices, and administrations with a new brand: IDM.

Soon France seemed small. This is why with its MOBIL M brand, it moved into Spain, Switzerland, Greece, and Italy where it set up branches. It also started up in Belgium and works in numerous other countries in Europe and elsewhere... The Group has become international.