New president and CEO at Wichard Groupe
Jean-Claude Ibos has stepped down as president of marine equipment manufacturer Wichard Groupe, as he enters retirement.
Ibos joined Wichard in 1998 as chief financial officer and became president in 2006. During his tenure, the company expanded through acquisitions, including Sparcraft and Facnor in 2013, Lorima and Péguet in 2018, Courant in 2022, and Ronstan, Andersen and Axxon in 2023.
The French-owned Wichard Groupe now operates 13 manufacturing facilities, eight of which are in France, along with three strategic platforms across France, Denmark, Romania, the US, Australia and Indonesia. The company employs 650 people worldwide and supplies the nautical and industrial sectors with products such as carbon and aluminium masts, furlers, winches, tracks and deck hardware. It also provides equipment for industrial and safety at-height applications, including ropes, PPE and connectors.
Ibos’ departure was planned over a two-year period to ensure a structured transition. He remains a member of the supervisory board and a shareholder. To mark the occasion, colleagues organised a surprise event in recognition of his two decades leading the company.
As of 1 April, Fabrice Didden has taken over as president of the Wichard Groupe, while Éric Herbault has assumed the role of CEO. Didden, who joined the company in 2015, was responsible for revitalising Sparcraft before overseeing industrial operations and leading external growth projects as CEO. Herbault brings extensive experience in industrial management and international business development and will focus on expanding the company further.
Ibos states: “The story, of course, does not end here – that is one of our group’s greatest strengths. Our brands, the legacy of our companies and their DNA form the backbone of our operations and must endure over time. As individuals, we contribute to this evolution, ensuring that our companies continue to thrive without being reliant on just a few people. This is, in a way, a moral duty – both to our predecessors and to those who will carry the adventure forward.”
Didden adds: “Since I joined in 2015, we have built a strong relationship based on trust and shared values: teamwork, collaboration, discipline, excellence, respect and a positive work environment. With a strengthened governance structure, including Erwan Godart leading Wichard, alongside Romain Poirier and Éric Herbault at the helm of the group, supported by our dedicated teams, we will continue to pursue excellence, innovation and social responsibility.”
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