The Apples Group revitalizes two iconic industrial companies in Provence

A business takeover supported by Provence Promotion’s Go Between in Provence program

Returning to France after 12 years abroad, Charles-Henri Marque chose Marseille as the location for his new business venture. By taking over two SMEs specializing in composite materials, he has joined a local ecosystem that is rich in industrial expertise and development opportunities. The project has benefited from the support of Provence Promotion and the network of experts that are part of the agency’s Go Between in Provence program.

After studying engineering at the esteemed Arts et Métiers ParisTech school and earning a silver medal for ranking in the top 10% of students, Charles-Henri Marque embarked on an international career. First, he received an MBA from the University of Chicago, and then he acquired a wealth of technical and managerial expertise, notably in the Santiago and Chicago offices of the prestigious McKinsey & Company consultancy. However, in 2021, he decided to return to France and launch a business adventure on his home soil.

Originally from Avignon, he wanted a project in the South of France. He took part in several networking events and got in touch with Provence Promotion, which offered him the opportunity to join its Go Between in Provence program dedicated to facilitating business takeovers in the Aix-Marseille area.

The Go Between in Provence manager, Salima Chelabi, put Charles-Henri Marque in touch with key players in the local economy, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aix Marseille Provence, the CRA business takeover training centre, the Réseau Entreprendre entrepreneurial network, the Airbus Développement financing programme, the Sud Provence-Alpe-Côte d’Azur Region’s RSI loan system, the IRCE regional business leaders institute, and the APERE regional business association. Thanks to this, after identifying the takeover opportunities, he was able to successfully navigate the process and consolidate the project’s establishment in the Aix-Marseille-Provence metro area.

“Provence Promotion is the ideal gateway to the ecosystem that is essential for successfully acquiring a business in Provence. The agency enabled me to get in direct contact with the key players involved in the business transfer. Whether it was takeover opportunities or legal, financial, and administrative contacts, Provence Promotion facilitated every step of the process, from the identification of the businesses to the completion of the sale,” says Charles-Henri Marque.

In August 2024, he acquired two firms: Apples Composites, a company that was founded in 1980 and specializes in the production of technological parts made from composite materials; and PSPI (Provence Services et Prestations Industrielles), which specializes in machining and plastic fabrication. He now runs the two companies under the auspices of the Apples Group.

Composites for diverse industrial uses

Whether it is carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, epoxy resin, or Corian, Apples Group uses a wide range of composite materials to manufacture one-off parts, prototypes, or small series of components. Its services are aimed at a range of sectors, including naval and offshore, medical (sinks, workbenches, etc.), architecture (custom-made pieces), water treatment (tanks, valves, etc.), and sports and leisure equipment. The company’s clients include companies and organizations such as the Naval Group, Alstom, Orano, Exail, Alseamar, Ifremer, and Ecolab. More than just a subcontractor, Apples Group positions itself as a partner that is capable of supporting its clients from the design phase through to industrialization, while taking a holistic view of the product’s life cycle and environmental impact.

With this dual acquisition, the CEO has kept together an experienced team of 11 employees (six from Apples Composites and five from PSPI), thereby preserving a rare local industrial expertise. He is also discovering the vibrant industrial environment in the Marseille area. “There is a vast network of companies brimming with potential and a dynamic young workforce. My ambition is to contribute to this momentum by building an inclusive, forward-looking team,” he says.

A clear vision: growth and agility

With Apples Group, Charles-Henri Marque is aiming for controlled growth: he plans to reach 25 employees within three years and modernize the workshops with new equipment while maintaining a human scale to remain agile. The quality and expertise of the staff are at the heart of his business strategy.

“Our goal is to produce better at a lower cost by anticipating machine maintenance and integrating a sustainable approach. Composite materials, which are lighter and more energy-efficient, are emerging as a solution for the future,” says Charles-Henri Marque, whose ambition is to make plastics and composites a positive value proposition for the planet. With the current favorable market environment, Apples Group intends to grow its revenue by expanding its activities in France.

Iconic achievements:

• ZAPATA - Flyboard: Hydro-propelled device developed by Franky Zapata.
• IFREMER - Fin: Component for the Nautile manned deep-sea submarine (depths of 6000 meters).
• HORUE - Foils: Lightweight carbon hydrofoil for water sports.
• MUCEM - Four-faced statues: Work of art.
• CITY OF TOULON - Roof for the Gare Maritime: Composite architectural feature.
• CITY OF MARSEILLE - Artificial reefs: Development and installation for the preservation of marine biodiversity.
• RTM - Tramway seats: Composite parts for the public transport system.