The Rocheservière platform doubles in size and establishes itself as a strategic lever

By COM4 - PR Agency Published on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM

Photo credits : ORCAB

Summary for decision-makers

ORCAB is supporting the strong growth of its 41 cooperatives and 9,400 member craft businesses by doubling the capacity of its logistics platform in Rocheservière (+13,300 m² extension). This strategic expansion aims to optimize flows, increase storage capacity, integrate more product lines (6,700 products, 300 suppliers), and improve the management of over 200,000 orders per year, while strengthening the local economic impact (+75% increase in turnover between 2019 and 2024).

The new building (28,300 m² of covered space) is designed for performance, sustainability, and innovation: high-rise construction, compliance with ICPE regulations, sprinkler system, and photovoltaic panels (1,000 MWh/year from 2026). This initiative is part of ORCAB's regional strategy, generating 45 jobs within 6 years, consolidating its position as a cooperative economic driver, and hosting a stage of the Tour de France of the Cooperative Flame in Rocheservière in 2025.

The national logistics platform in Rocheservière (Vendée) is entering a new dimension. A 13 m² expansion is currently being completed, bringing the total covered area to 300 m², for an investment of over €2 million excluding tax.

ORCAB (Organization of Purchasing Cooperatives for Building Tradespeople) is taking a new step in its development

Objective: to support the strong growth of the group, optimize logistics flows, and develop the storage capacity of products available to cooperatives and their members.

A STRUCTURING PROJECT FOR 41 COOPERATIVES AND 9 MEMBER CRAFT BUSINESSES

Facing an activity in continuous development (+75% turnover since 2019), the Rocheservière platform - which serves the 41 ORCAB cooperatives and their 9 member artisans - had reaches saturation despite a final extension in 2020. In response, ORCAB is now doubling the capacity of this strategic site.

A necessity for:

integrate more products (currently 6700 references in stock in total and 300 suppliers),
optimize management of more than 200 order lines per year,
save external logistics costs (8 m000 outsourced to service providers),
continue to strengthen member service and the quality of work on site,
strengthen local economic impact.

AN EXTENSION DESIGNED FOR PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY

Built high (14 m under the acroterion, i.e. 4 m2 more than the original building), the new building is designed for maximize storage density, reduce land use and anticipate future needs. Respectful of environmental standards (ICPE 1510), it will be equipped with a complete sprinkler and fire detection system.

From 2026, two photovoltaic power plants of 500 kWc each will supply the site with partial self-consumption, and return the surplus to the national network. Ultimately 1 MWh would be produced annually, or the consumption of 400 inhabitants.

A DRIVER OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This extension is fully in line with the group's long-term strategy: support growth while promoting the region. Over the past six years. 45 jobs were created on this Vendée site, headquarters of the ORCAB group and which now has nearly 100 today. The land reserve available on the site will ultimately allow, additional extension phases.

"The expansion of our platform reflects our collective ambition for Rocheservière and its region. By strengthening our capacity for innovation
and support for our member cooperatives, we are consolidating our role as a local economic driver. This is a second major project following the successful launch in 2023 of Hardis' Reflex WMS solution, which enabled the automation of logistics operations processes: reception, identification, storage,
the collection, preparation of orders and shipping of packages. specifies Stéphane Windsor, General Manager of ORCAB

KEY FIGURES

28 m300 of covered logistics area in Rocheservière
More than €10 million excluding tax investment 13 m300 extension (including 2 m000 of shipping area)
41 ORCAB cooperatives served (9 member craft businesses)
+75% turnover between 2019 and 2024 (2024 turnover = €115 million)
+80 new suppliers put on the platform these last 3 years
2 photovoltaic power plants to come (500 kWc each)

This project illustrates the ORCAB's capacity for logistical anticipation and territorial structuring, while asserting its positioning as major cooperative player serving member building tradespeople and the local economy.

THE COOPERATIVE FLAME IS STOPPING IN ROCHESERVIERE

A MEETING FOCUSED ON COLLECTIVENESS AND INNOVATION

To mark the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, the Tour de France de la Flamme coopérative (Cooperative Flame Tour) celebrates the identity and values that underpin the cooperative model. Led by Coop FR, the voice of France's 23 cooperatives, this initiative symbolizes local roots and synergies between local stakeholders.

On May 22, the Flame will stop at Rocheservière, on the platform site, marking a highlight with the inauguration of its extension. Artisan cooperative members, representatives of WE COOP and Coop FR, elected officials and Vendée partners will gather to celebrate cooperation in all its forms.

A COMMITTED AND ECO-DESIGNED FLAME

Symbol of mutual aid and inclusion, The Flame displays the colors of the four major French cooperative families. Eco-designed by the Mu Cooperative and produced by the Fablab Villette Makers, it reflects a strong commitment to ecological transition: pyrotechnic-free, made from recyclable materials.

ORCAB, ITS COOPERATIVE MEMBERS & COOP FR LIGHT THE COOPERATIVE FLAME IN VENDEE

WE COOP, Federation of cooperatives of artisans and entrepreneurs of France, brings together and represents cooperatives of artisans, road transport companies and independent entrepreneurs. 130 cooperatives bringing together 21 businesses, generating a turnover of 000 billion and representing 1,8 jobs.

ORCAB CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY: A COOPERATIVE FORCE SERVING BUILDING TRADESMEN

A true pillar of craft cooperatives in France, ORCAB (Organization of Purchasing Cooperatives for Building Tradespeople) has been supporting and propelling businesses towards success for 35 years. Its expertise, powerful tools, and strong network make it a key player in the creation and development of the group's 41 cooperatives.

JOINING AN ORCAB COOPERATIVE MEANS BENEFITING

From a sharing of experiences and good practices to gain in efficiency.
Tailor-made support: advice, technical training, ecological transition.
Privileged access to more than 680 listed suppliers, guaranteeing optimized purchases.

A FAIR AND VIRTUOUS ECONOMIC MODEL

Management surpluses are redistributed each year to cooperative artisans. By pooling their purchases, members optimize their costs and save valuable time: one working day per week, according to a KPMG study (ORCAB Barometer 1st quarter 2012).

IN 2025: A STRONG COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND DATA

ORCAB is looking to the future with the creation of a commission dedicated to data. Objective: to structure and exploit data to make a strategic tool. A single database will centralize photos and field information, thus enriching the sales platforms of all the cooperatives in the group.

CLEAR ORCAB MISSIONS FOR A CONCRETE IMPACT

Outsource member logistics.
Source, purchase and store goods.
Deliver at the right time, favoring short circuits.
Structuring collective and united success.

ORCAB is a lever for growth for independent artisan cooperatives, a model of effective collaboration and a key player in the transformation of the building industry.

ORCAB IN FIGURES

Founded in 1990, ORCAB, the Organization of Building Trades Purchasing Cooperatives, is the 6th largest National Multi-Specialist Group and the 2nd largest National Wood/Panel/Joinery Group. It has 100 employees (Source: Négoce 2024).

9 ARTISAN MEMBERSHIPS
+ 36 EMPLOYEES including 5 apprentices
41 COOPERATIVES
+ 2 COOP EMPLOYEES
40 EXHIBITION HALLS 2 ADVICE AREAS 28 AGENCIES

WOOD

22 COOPERATIVES
4 MEMBERS
2024 turnover: €715 million

PLUMBING, ELECTRICITY

16 COOPERATIVES
3 MEMBERS
2024 turnover: €559 million

STRUCTURE

3 COOPERATIVES
470 MEMBERS
2024 turnover: €46 million

Frequently Asked Questions for Decision Makers

What are the main objectives of the extension of the ORCAB platform to Rocheservière?

The expansion aims to support the group's strong growth, optimize logistics flows, and develop storage capacity for the 41 ORCAB cooperatives and their 9,400 members. It also allows for the integration of more products, improved order management, and a stronger local economic impact.

What innovations and sustainable commitments are planned with this extension?

The new building is constructed vertically to maximize storage density, reduces the land footprint, and complies with environmental standards. Two photovoltaic power plants will enable partial self-consumption and produce approximately 1,000 MWh annually, starting in 2026.

What concrete benefits do craft businesses derive from joining an ORCAB cooperative?

Members benefit from tailored support, training, access to over 680 approved suppliers, and optimized purchasing. Shared savings save time, and operating surpluses are redistributed annually.