Located in the west of France in the Loire Valley region around the town of Quimper, the national cluster “Enfant” specializes in the Design, Creation and Distribution of products and services intended for children aged 0 to 12
The cluster is based around 3 themes:
- Industrial: Determine synergies in the design, marketing, commercial, distribution and communication fields
- Geographical: Unite the Choletais area through initiatives and actions centred around children
- Social: Bring together stakeholders in all areas concerning children (family, educators, etc.)
Advantages
The textile and clothing industry is a major economic cluster in the Loire Valley region
- 10,000 jobs
- 11% of national workforce
- 2nd French region
The region of Quimper is the 2nd industrial area in western France with a population of 200,000. It has developed a large part of its economy around the children’s market.
Children in Choletais
- Leading companies
Dorel France: European leader in baby gear
Salmon arc-en-ciel: French leader in gifts to celebrate newborns
Brioche Pasquier: French leader in pre-packaged bread products
Charal: Top French beef-based producer
Key figures
25% of clusters, which is 10,000 jobs in 70 companies
Over a billion euros in turnover, including 170 million euros in exports
Members
66 members in June 2008
Companies: 43 including over 30 small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SME)
• French companies: Fleury Michon, Brioche Pasquier, Newman, Charal, Gautier Meubles Samson, Laboratoires Rivadis, CWF Children Worldwide Fashion, Eram etc.
• International companies: Bébé Confort, subsidiary of Dorel Industries (Canada)
Research and Educational Institutions
13 centers, including Angers Technopole, Centre Technique du Cuir, Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique, Ecole Supérieure d’Electronique de l’Ouest (ESEO), Institut Supérieur des Forces de Vente (IFV), Institut Colbert (leading French higher education centre for clothing and shoes), Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Angers (ESSCA) etc.
10 other organizations are also partners of the cluster, including the Loire Valley region, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Cholet, General Council of Anjou, Choletais “L’audace pour réussir”, Pays des Mauges etc. Current R&D Project Partnerships (refer to appendix)
3 projects were certified and financed between 2006 and mid-2008 for a total investment of 2.3 million euros
International Partnerships
Current
•Contacts with Japanese partners within the framework of the French-Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Tokyo
Future:
•Organization of 6 international missions (Great Britain, China, Belgium, Russia, Bulgaria, Norway).
Appendix: Examples of Certified R&D Projects
|
Project Name and Subject |
Led by |
|
GENERATION 2010 Developing and marketing new shoes adapted to today’s children. This involves first doing a physical measurement survey, then conducting a scientific study on the 0-to-6-year-old population |
Centre Technique du Cuir (CTC) |
|
3D CHILD Child measurement campaign to identify and analyze morphological changes over recent decades |
Institut français du Textile et de l’Habillement (IFTH) |
|
DISMOIGOUT Improve understanding of the dietary preferences of children (scientific analysis and pedagogical approach) |
Ecole Nationale des Ingénieurs des Techniques des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires (ENITIAA) |
Contact
Invest in France Agency Paris
Laurent BERGEOT
Director, Territories Development
Send an e-mail
+33 1 40 74 74 11