Where Now Consulting secures distribution partner for client in Toulouse, France



Where Now Consulting has secured a distribution partnership in Toulouse for Steelcase, the leading global furniture manufacturer, as part of ongoing consultancy on their EMEA distribution channel strategy.

Steelcase was looking to strengthen its presence in the key city of Toulouse. Toulouse, based 130km from the Spanish border, in the Midi-Pyrannées region, home to the Airbus Group, the region is a hub for 700 aerospace companies, employing 79,000 employees. The city has flourishing Bio-Tech, robotics and space systems and applications companies, who profit from a rich, educated, talent pool.

Steelcase has been active in the market for many years through its subsidiary, T B Aménagement but was looking for a strong “service driven” partner that could develop the market and the customer experience for its customers.    

Marcireau, a group of companies based in Niort, Poitier and La Rochelle, was selected as the ideal partner for the Toulouse market. Marcireau, an existing Steelcase dealer, has a broad service offering including office design and consultancy, fit-out, furniture and technology.

Yves Leroux, joint managing director of Marcireau Group, said; “After having celebrated our 80 year partnership with Steelcase earlier this year, we are ready to embark on a new challenge, hence we are taking on Toulouse with its strong market potential. This acquisition embeds the growth dynamic within our business, creating a sustainable and harmonious future for Marcireau. Toulouse is the first step of our development strategy. We thank Where Now Consulting for leading the project for the acquisition of TB Aménagement.”

Where Now Consulting worked with Steelcase to evaluate the requirements for the market, provided input and guidance on the approach and the proposition made by Marcireau. Where Now Consulting led the negotiations for the transaction and managed the transaction process. A key element of success for any acquisition is the post-merger planning and implementation, and Where Now Consulting were very pleased to assist in managing this stage of the transaction.

Andrew Hobbs-Grimmer, Director Where Now Consulting said, “We were delighted to support Steelcase and Marcireau through this transaction and wish both companies success as they develop the market in Toulouse. A special thank you goes to Paul Azevedo from Prad Avocats for his legal support and ever professional approach.”

About Where Now Consulting Ltd: Where Now Consulting is a consulting company that focuses on sales, distribution, channel strategy and management. The company offers consulting services including formulating market entry strategies, market assessment, creating sales and distribution options and the management and optimization of sales and distribution teams. The company aims to become the recognised expert in helping companies deliver sustainable and profitable growth.