The Cosmetic Valley is the first competitiveness cluster dedicated to perfumes and cosmetics in the world. These words may seem a bit abstract for outside people. Nevertheless, it means many things for the involved people: synergies between companies, of economy, research development, brand image of the French cosmetic industry … Obviously, there are some actions around Chartres, very useful for the cosmetic industry, which its CEO, Jean-Luc Ansel, detailed for CosmeticOBS-L’Observatoire des Cosmétiques.
The Cosmetic Valley spreads over seven French "departements" belonging to three "regions": Centre, Île-de-France and Haute-Normandie. This area comprises 550 companies of the cosmetic sector, large companies as well as SMEs, packaging manufacturers, sub-contractors, farmers who supply the vegetable ingredients used in cosmetics: a labour pool of more than 47,000 people.
In 1994, at the very beginning, the Cosmetic Valley was a small association of local businesses. It went to what it is nowadays when, in 2005, it got the « "Competitiveness Cluster" logo delivered by a Governmental organization.
Its task: to develop the cosmetic field in France and make it exert its influence over the world.
Synergies due to closeness
" Grouping business in the same area is important ", Jean-Luc Ansel explains. " Synergies are more efficient. There are more links and commercial exchanges. Relationship is mainly through a vertical integration, though there is also a healthy rivalry between the different partners ."
The system works perfectly: the Cosmetic Valley is attractive. "
Actors of the cosmetic industry first choose to establish in France, renowned for its expertise in the field, then they come in the Cosmetic Valley
."
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