BONTOUX

About BONTOUX

The story of Bontoux begins in 1898 in the lavender fields of Haute Provence, France. It was here that founder Gérard Bontoux patented a distillation process, laying the groundwork for a family enterprise focused on natural aromatic ingredients. The business began by distilling wild lavender, a resource deeply connected to its region. The company's journey is marked by generational continuity. The second generation, sons Marcel and René Bontoux, modernized the business, introducing essential oil production and initiating the company's first steps onto the international stage. The third generation, led by Robert Bontoux, expanded this vision by establishing a distribution subsidiary in the United States. Today, the fourth generation, under Rémy Bontoux, continues to guide the family business, which has grown into a global supplier for the perfumery, food, and cosmetics industries. A significant event in its recent history occurred in 2014 when the Bontoux family, with a new financial partner, Céréa Partenaire, bought back a majority stake in the company. This move followed a 2009 capital increase from investors Bpifrance and Agro Invest, which was intended to restructure the company and support its international growth. This strategic decision reinforced the family's control and commitment to its long-term vision. Through strategic acquisitions like Guedant in 2018 and an unwavering focus on its core expertise, Bontoux has solidified its position in the natural ingredients market.