Sales: $1.7 billion

Comments: Groupe Rocher announced new corporate governance effective July 1, 2023. Bris Rocher, chairman and CEO of the Groupe Rocher since 2009 and grandson of the founder Yves Rocher, delegated his executive functions to Jean-David Schwartz, who is now CEO of the Groupe Rocher.

As chairman, Bris Rocher will define and lead the group’s long-term strategic vision and its unique position as a mission-driven company. The executive management team will ensure the operational management of the business and the implementation of short and medium-term strategies, according to officials.

“By delegating the executive duties to a new CEO, we seek to reinforce transparency, independency, and responsibility within our organization. Jean-David Schwartz has my full confidence. His many interpersonal and managerial qualities, his outstanding knowledge of the Group as well as his international experience and his track record in leading the Group’s brands make him the natural candidate. I firmly believe that this strengthened governance will enable us to tackle future challenges collectively, maximizing our development potential and financial performance. This is the best way we will secure to pass on our family heritage to next generations,” said Bris Rocher.

Additionally, Groupe Rocher’s executive committee has been overhauled to be more operational, swift and agile, according to the company. The reshaped executive committee is composed of new members, mainly issued from the Groupe Rocher. Led by Schwartz, it has two core divisions—People and Mission group, directed by Jeanne Renard, and Finance and Legal group, led by Laurent Delaurière. Operational divisions leaders include Stanislas Duthier (information systems) and Vincent Taglioni (operations). A director of new product development had yet to be named at press time.

Sales: $3.0 billion

Privately-held Groupe Rocher produced nearly 700 million products in 2019. Last year, 35% of sales came from Europe (excluding France), 27% from France, 25% from the Americas and 13% from AAME. By distribution channel, 40% of sales were in-shop, 36% direct sales, 12% mail-order, 6% digital and 6% other.

In December, the company became a purpose-driven company, combining ambition with a mission to serve the common good: to reconnect people to nature. But the company was determined to do more, so in May, CEO Bris Rocher, announced that GR adopted the status of a French “mission-driven company.” As the first mission-driven company under French law since 2019, Groupe Rocher places respect and defense of human rights at the top of its priorities in the management of its business.

The moves come after the company met the 2020 environmental objectives it set back in 2015, including reducing energy and water usage. For example, renewable energy accounts for 41% of the group’s total energy use. The original objective was 30%. Now, the company is formulating its 2030 objectives, which will involve biodiversity and making La Gacilly a low carbon territory.

Sales: $2.8 billion.
Key Personnel: Bris Rocher, chairman and chief executive officer; Yann-Eitenne Le Gall, deputy chief executive officer, human resources, communication and organization.

Last year, Rocher acquired Arbonne International, which had sales revenue in excess of $550 million. At the time of the acquisition, Groupe Rocher chairman and CEO Bris Rocher said the move would enable his company to strengthen its position in the direct selling channel, which had enjoyed an upturn during the past few years.

“We also have a heritage of providing employment opportunities—dating back to my grandfather, our founder, Yves Rocher, who cared deeply about providing employment since he started his business. This, combined with our direct selling know-how, should foster company growth and longevity,” said the chief executive.

Following the acquisition, YR appointed a new CEO at Arbonne, Jean-David Schwartz, who had been CEO of Yves Rocher North America. Schwartz replaced Kay Zanotti who retired. Along with Schwartz, two other key Groupe Rocher executives joined Arbonne full-time, including Astrid Van Ruymbeke, new Arbonne chief financial officer, and Vincent Taglioni, new Arbonne VP-operations.

Last year, Groupe Rocher collaborated with Eastman on the design of a new “ecodesign compact” concept. The compact features a cellulose-based thermoplastic that offers both high performance and reduced environmental impact. Processing of the compact case has been simplified into a single step rather than the typical three-step process and the design eliminates the metal hinge pins, using plastic pins instead. By eliminating metal and using fewer materials in the design, the company has created a compact case that requires fewer natural resources to produce, uses less energy and eliminates secondary processing steps without compromising functionality and aesthetic brand codes.

Sales: $2.2 billion

In February, Rocher acquired Arbonne International. At the time of the acquisition, Groupe Rocher chairman and CEO Bris Rocher said the move will enable his company to strengthen its position in the direct selling channel, which has seen an upturn during the past few years.

“We also have a heritage of providing employment opportunities—dating back to my grandfather, our founder, Yves Rocher, who cared deeply about providing employment since he started his business. This, combined with our direct selling know-how, should foster company growth and longevity.”

Following the acquisition, YR appointed a new CEO at Arbonne, Jean-David Schwartz, who had been CEO of Yves Rocher North America. Schwartz replaced Kay Zanotti who retired.
Arbonne was founded by Peter Mork, and its beauty and wellness products (skin care, cosmetics and nutrition supplements) are produced using natural plant ingredients. It has annual sales of about $550 million, and operates a manufacturing site and four proprietary distribution centers.

Through Arbonne’s acquisition, the Rocher group is set to boost its market penetration in Anglo-Saxon markets, since the brand is distributed in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Taiwan and Poland. Elsewhere, in June, YR expanded its retail operations in Africa with a new store in Nairobi, adding to its positions in Nigeria and South Africa.

In 2016, Rocher added to its portfolio by acquiring Israeli brand Sabon, an artisanal soap maker.

Sales: $1.85 billion

Privately-held Rocher Group was founded in 1959 by botanist Yves Rocher. The company is now controlled by his grandson Bris Rocher. Rocher Group proudly notes that it was the first European cosmetics company to put an end to animal testing.

Rocher operates in more than 100 countries with nearly 40% of sales coming from its home market. Western Europe accounts for about 33% of sales, followed by Eastern Europe, South America, Middle East, Asia, North America and others.

In December, Rocher paid nearly $130 million for a majority stake in Sabon, an Israeli cosmetics company. Best known for its bath and body collections, Sabon has 175 stores around the world, primarily in its home market.