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
."
Further, they find here far more than an exceptional …
