Published in Capital
Oxy’Pharm, the manufacturer and distributor of machines and biodegradable products for the automated disinfection and insect extermination of surfaces, is a French success story that stands out from the crowd. Founded in 2003 and based in Champigny-sur-Marne, the original company, although still family-owned, is now spreading, and their products are distributed in 90 countries worldwide. Interview with Thierry Rouleau, CEO, and his brother Arnaud Rouleau, from Oxy’Pharm.
Oxy’Pharm was founded in 2003, but its origins go back even further…
How did you develop into a group leader?
Our ambition is to be able to offer all of the disinfection solutions and to provide our customers with the one that is the most relevant and best adapted to their constraints. For example, in 2011 we acquired Sanivap, a Lyon-based company specialising in steam cleaning, which enabled us to add bio-cleaning to our bio-disinfection know-how. Or Oxy’Serv, a subsidiary of the Oxy’Pharm group, which offers disinfection and pest control service for both professionals and private individuals.
Airel focuses at the challenges of disinfecting the water used in dental turbines,
because this water is extremely static and the reproduction rate of bacteria is exponential. In 1985, AIDS was discovered. While its transmission system was not yet understood, there was an obvious need to develop disinfection systems. In 1997, a new crisis hit the dental sector and our main partner Quetin, a dental chair manufacturer, collapsed. We bought it and combined our expertise to become the only French manufacturer of dental chairs under the name Airel Quetin. Our strength is technology and we know how to capture the French market: public assistance, army, dental schools, dental practices, etc.
When and why were you interested in airborne surface disinfection?
In the early 2000s, we started looking at a serious issue: the extremely high risk of transmission of nosocomial infections and SARS-CoV in dental surgeries due to the mist caused by treatment.
What solutions did you find?
We started researching hydrogen peroxide, which is an excellent disinfectant but has the disadvantage of being unstable and extremely corrosive. We have invented a machine that transforms a liquid into a gas without heating it, and that allows this gas to act on bacteria without being corrosive; the Nocospray disinfects all surfaces without leaving any residue, therefore eliminating any risk of resistant germs. In short, this machine, which is certified as a medical device, turns a kitchen into an operating room! This was the birth of Oxy’Pharm, which today includes Airel-Quetin.
Who are your aerial disinfection systems intended for?
All sectors: the medical sector as a whole – doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, ambulances, etc. – the food sector, but also day care centres and communities. Our machines and products are subjected to bacteriological tests and are certified, which places us in a leading position in this market. In 2003 we were producing 200 machines per year, today we produce 3000 per month!
“All the different entities in our group are experiencing growth in their turnover due to their synergy and complementarity”
What impact has Covid 19 had on Oxy’Pharm?
We went from a daily production of 1,500 litres of disinfectant to 10,000 litres. And we have increased our machine production by 10. Our teams worked miracles every day.
What is the outcome today?
Since 2009, Lucie, my niece, and Romain, my son, have been running the business. Over 10 years, Airel has gone from 7 to 10 million in turnover. Oxy’Pharm went from 600,000 euros in 2008 to 8 million in 2019. This year will probably see us triple this turnover.
And the future?
To increase Airel-Quetin’s turnover through organic growth, and to turn more towards exports, particularly for dental equipment. Stabilise Oxy’Pharm’s turnover and continue its external growth. The current health crisis has opened up all markets (theatres, beauticians, opticians, etc.) and we want to develop new ranges to adapt to each one. But what is important to us is to remain a human-sized structure that retains the loyalty of its employees, and to preserve our values: work and modesty.
More information on theOxy’Pharm website.