Our story
A story of Men and Women …
RBD belongs to that unique category of company: the family company.
They forge their history in line with the personalities that manage them, their visions, their agreements or disagreements, mergers and divestments.
Since its creation in 1922, the descendants, Male and Female, of the various families of the founders have written the history of the group. RBD has thus been passed down from one generation to the next. The desire to perpetuate the profession of industrial manufacturer and to pass on a know-how of excellence has been the company’s main growth drivers and what has made it possible to overcome the many trials and tribulations.
With strength and determination, these men and women have shown they have what it takes to take the courageous decisions necessary to build on their core business.
When he took over the reins, Philippe Calandroni, a descendant of one of the founding families and current CEO, immediately set out to regroup all the units. The idea was to bring together all individuals to better pool the expertise. He sees himself as a People person, and is a fierce defender of the people who make the company what it is.
In 2014 the group was back to its original configuration.
The future of RBD lies in this quest to anchor the group as a competitive industrial base through a policy of consolidating its core businesses, of developing its complementary areas of expertise and of pursuing its international expansion by drawing on its know-how and its brands.
1922
Birth of PCM
Creation of the family company PCM by Messrs. Chaland, Pailler and Mas, specialising in the manufacture of Wood tooling.
1940
Take-over by Chaland
Mr Chaland bought out Mr Pailler and created the company Chaland in Bagnolet. His children, Maurice and Jean-Pierre, joined the company.
1950
Carbide reversible knife blades
The circular sawblades with carbide reversible knives are launched onto the market.
1965
Noisy-le-Sec
The company Chaland moves and settles in Noisy-le-Sec.
1972
Creation of RBD in Savoie
Rémi, Denis and Bernard Chaland create the company RBD in Montmélian in Savoie. They integrate and develop the manufacture of circular sawblades with carbide reversible knives for the cutting of wood, ferrous and nonferrous metals.
1974
Installation in Saint-Pierre d'Albigny
The activities are transferred from Montmélian to Saint Pierre d’Albigny (73).
1980
Acquisition of the company ARC
Chaland takes over the company ARC based in Soissons. It will become the future manufacturing unit for RBD’s sawblade holders.
1981
Creation of ONCI
Creation of the company ONCI (industrial cutting tools) based in Noisy-le-Sec to develop the marketing of the group’s « wood » division.
1994
Merger of RBD and ONCIRBD et ONCI fusionnent ce qui permet à RBD de récupérer la base clients. ONCI reste la marque commerciale des produits. Le siège social, les services administratifs et le magasin sont regroupés à Noisy-le-Sec.
L’usine de fabrication demeure à Saint Pierre d’Albigny.
La société multiplie les salons et visites à l’étranger.
1996
The keys to export
Buoyed by its export results, RBD is awarded the “Clé d’Or de l’exportation” prize in recognition of its achievements.
2000
Departure of Bernard ChalandBernard Chaland sells his shares to Colette Calandroni, Laurent Casset and Philippe Calandroni. The latter becomes CEO of the company RBD SAS and holds 40% of the equity.
This is the year of the establishment of the Holding « L’outils des Partenaires ».
2001
Acquisition of Jaguar
RBD acquires the business assets of Jaguar (Wood division) held by the Chaland nephews. Jaguar becomes the trademark of the products offered to resellers.
RBD-ONCI moves the business premises and inventory from Noisy-le-Sec to new premises in Fontenay-sous-Bois in the Val de Marne (94).
The name ONCI will only be used for B-to-B purposes and for export from this date.
2007
Installation in Alpespace (Savoie)
The company builds premises located in the Alpespace industrial estate in Sainte-Hélène-du-Lac (73). The manufacturing plant, head office, administrative, accounting and commercial offices and the warehouse are transferred to this new site. The “export » sales activity remains in Noisy-le-Sec.
2008
Acquisition of the Chaland metal business
Covering the « metal » and « stone » activities and with a 40-strong workforce, Chaland sells the metal division to RBD.
2009
Creation of RBD Machines
Creation of the RBD Machines division with the aim of selling MVM sharpening machines used by the sharpeners and distributors to maintain tools.
2012
RBD acquires the Stone activity from Chaland
This new division, named RBD Chaland, is comprised of 11 people and generates 80% of its turnover from exports.
2015
Rbd strengthens its equity base
RBD strengthens its equity base by € 500 thousand following the opening of its capital to financial partners, the FRI and Crédit Agricole Développement, to support its business development on international markets. Redesign of the RBD corporate identity, its trademarks and launch of its new website.
2017
Projects
Plans to set up subsidiaries abroad and the active development of the distribution network.