The history of the Marck and Balsan group

Marck and Balsan is a company selling professional equipment and clothing, created in 1850. The company, with a history of more than 170 years, has managed, over time, to preserve its know-how by diversifying its activity.

Summary:

• Who is Marck and Balsan?
  
  
• History: The 2 faces of Marck and Balsan
  
  
  • Marck Group
    
    
  • Balsan Company
    
    
• The commitments
  
  
• The products
   
• VETSECURITE.COM: Your complete solution for equipment

The company aims to offer equipment intended for administrations and private companies at professional rates.

Marck and Balsan is a French industrial company recognized for its expertise in the field of clothing and equipment, both for administrations and private companies, in France and abroad. Offering a complete range of products and services, Marck and Balsan provides integrated solutions including protective equipment, uniforms, as well as various materials and services for professionals.
The company has seven production units spread across France, each specializing in a specific field: Calais, Cluses, Montierchaume, Sainte-Pazanne, La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, Limoges and Mer.
This extensive presence on French territory guarantees great flexibility, optimal responsiveness and a high level of technical mastery.
 

In addition to its facilities in France, the company has a site in Tunisia specialized in waterproof clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE). It also maintains partnerships with factories located in the Euromed zone, China and India, all certified according to the company's rigorous quality standards.

1850: The family business, Marck, was born, specializing in the manufacture of headwear and embroidered articles for Master tailors.

Early 20th century: From making headwear to manufacturing complete uniforms, the company quickly turned to the design and distribution of uniforms for administrations, particularly the armed forces.

1950 - 2012: The Marck group expanded its field of expertise by creating and acquiring renowned companies in various sectors such as trimmings, uniforms, and marine structures.

2012: The expansion of the Marck group took on new momentum with the acquisition of Balsan, thus strengthening its position as a key player in the uniform markets for public administrations, private companies and related services.

2014: Creation of the OMP Solutions consortium, specialized in providing equipment for United Nations peacekeeping missions, in collaboration with Engie.

2015: Creation of Sentinel company, which is dedicated to equipping territorial security forces, particularly Municipal Police, Public Highway Surveillance Agents (ASVP) and Rural Guards, before expanding to the private security and firefighting sectors.

2021: The consolidation of the activities of the Marck Group and its subsidiaries under a single entity: Marck and Balsan.

1859: Pierre Balsan acquired the Royal Cloth Manufacture of Châteauroux, thus becoming a traditional supplier to the French army (Balsan subsidiary).

1914: During World War I, Balsan innovated by developing the "Horizon Blue" cloth and manufacturing the new uniforms for French soldiers, known as "Poilus".

1956: VTN Industries was born as a pioneer in the field of personal protective equipment and technical textiles, putting textiles at the service of wearer safety.

2018: Balsan consolidated its position as the main industrial hub within the Marck group with the acquisition and integration of VTN, thus strengthening its presence in the field of personal protective equipment.

2021: The consolidation of the activities of the Marck group and its subsidiaries under a single entity: Marck and Balsan.

Marck and Balsan places paramount importance on corporate social responsibility (CSR), placing it at the center of its daily concerns and strategic priorities. As part of its policy, Marck and Balsan is resolutely committed to carrying out concrete actions in favor of sustainable development, based on the ISO 26000 standard, in order to contribute significantly to current global challenges.

Marck and Balsan sets ambitious goals for humanity, the environment and its partners. By joining the Global Compact of the United Nations in 2016, the company commits to respecting and promoting the 10 universal principles divided into 4 main areas: human rights, international labor standards, the environment and the fight against corruption.

The social commitment of Marck and Balsan is based on recognizing the strength of its employees and the synergy of their skills. This commitment translates into priority objectives, including:
 

• Promote innovative career paths favoring mobility, skills development, versatility and even evolution towards new professions.
   
• Implement secure working conditions and encourage the evolution of know-how, management as well as individual and collective progress.

The societal commitment of Marck and Balsan is reflected in its involvement in local development through several actions:

• Payment of apprenticeship tax to the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) to support regional economic growth actors.
  
  
• Participation in business and local authority clusters to promote local synergies and strengthen ties with the community.
  
  
• Living Heritage Company (EPV) certification for the manufacturing workshop in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, awarded by the Ministry of Industry, attesting to the company's commitment to preserving know-how and employment in France.

Marck and Balsan designs and manufactures a complete range of intervention gear for armed forces, public and private security forces, as well as firefighters. This gear is specially designed to ensure the safety of people, buildings and infrastructure in various intervention contexts. Among the equipment offered are combat gear for special forces, bulletproof vests, anti-laceration sleeves, suits, pants and over-pants, parkas, balaclavas, shoulder pads and gaiters, thus offering complete and adapted protection for each situation.

A wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also designed to meet the specific needs of workers and responders in various professional environments. This PPE uses technical materials with specific properties, such as high-visibility, protection against fire, cold, acids, etc. In addition, they are manufactured according to particular construction methods, such as flat-fell seaming, sealed, topstitched, thus ensuring optimal protection.

Marck and Balsan's PPE range includes more than 800 technical products, covering PPE categories 1 to 3, which protect against fatal risks. These products are adapted to respond to a variety of risks, whether unique or combined. All personal protective equipment from Marck and Balsan strictly comply with the requirements of current European or international standards, thus ensuring reliable and compliant protection with the highest safety standards.

This year, the company Marck and Balsan has just obtained the huge market for equipping gendarmes and police officers, which had been held by Paul Boyé for many years and operated using the Vetigend and Vetipol sites. 
However, despite obtaining these contracts, the company did not obtain the tender related to French army parade uniforms.

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Take advantage of fast delivery, a vast selection of major tactical brand products, all at competitive prices. We have tens of thousands of references in stock for express delivery, without delay. Whether for winter, summer or mid-season, our online store offers a variety of clothing adapted to your needs.

Also find a wide range of products specific to different specialties such as the Departmental Gendarmerie, Mobile Gendarmerie, Dog Handlers, BMO, etc.

On vetsecurite.com, product sales are controlled, with delivery to barracks or an identification number required for products subject to specific conditions, such as Gendarmerie badges, polos, t-shirts and jackets personalized according to your section.