Solenne and Vincent Surget have just acquired Ker Kibell, an artisan cosmetics brand based in Brittany. The two entrepreneurs now head up a network of 30 shops in Brittany and an artisan production workshop. Experts from AURIS Finance, an M&A consultancy, give their insights and analysis.
In a sector such as the hygiene and beauty industry, which is dominated by large corporations, a family business stands out for its resilience. Ker Kibell group, originating from the Côtes-d’Armor region, is distinguished by its commitment to independence.
The company was founded in 2010 by Yann Henry and Viviane Ridard, two cosmetics professors at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Guingamp. In 2014, the group was sold to Séverine Pallu and Pascal Morcet. Under their leadership, the group developed a hybrid model combining company-owned shops and franchises. Following the opening of its first ‘Starter’ shop in the Champs shopping centre in Saint-Brieuc and a seasonal shop in Saint-Cast-Le-Guildo in 2016, the group proceeded to open its first boutique in Dinan. This was followed by many others, around thirty in total in Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère and Morbihan. The group, which has 50 employees, generated a turnover of €4 million in 2024.
Made in Brittany
Shops were named Ma Kibell and specialised in the sale of the group’s creations. One of the brand’s unique features is its artisanal production, with all creations originating from the workshop in Trémuson, located in the Côtes-d’Armor region of Brittany. Over the years, the range has been expanded to include 250 cosmetic products. Soaps, shower gels and perfumes are made from local ingredients sourced from short supply chains. The brand is proud of its Breton identity and uses signature ingredients and scents such as salted butter caramel, Plougastel strawberries, Ribot milk, seaweed and kouign-amann.
Local support
The local SME is now under the ownership of Solenne and Vincent Surget. Vincent has previously held management positions within the Saint Gobin Group, while Solenne was previously human resources manager for a group based in the Paris region. The two entrepreneurs state that they ‘fell in love with Ma Kibell, the quality of its products, its strong identity and its commitment to promoting Brittany and working closely with producers’. This acquisition was made with the financial support of Breizh Invest PME, a regional investment fund based in Brittany that specialises in providing financial support to Breton SMEs in the process of transfer or development. It will acquire a 25% stake in Ker Kibell.
Our experts at your service
The recent acquisition of Ker Kibell Group by two entrepreneurs highlights the ongoing demand for SMEs with innovative concepts and established local brands from project developers. The products marketed by Ma Kibell are in line with current consumer expectations: local roots and artisanal production using short supply chains. AURIS Finance’s experts are specialised by sector. We work closely with our clients to provide comprehensive support for their acquisition, transfer and financing projects.
