Today it is with great joy and pride that I would like to share an exceptional event with you:
the 30th anniversary of the SBM Group. Jean-Paul Simmler founded SBM on December 1, 1994. Initially focused
on field crop protection, over the years the group expanded into the garden and aromatherapy sectors.

In 30 years, thanks to the passion and trust we've built up and nurtured throughout this wonderful adventure, SBM has become a major player, recognized for its expertise, commitment and capacity for innovation. 30 years of success that is above all a tremendous human adventure! A story of women and men, passionate employees, an ecosystem of loyal partners and customers who have placed their trust in us.

This celebration is just one stage in the great adventure we began 30 years ago. We know that the future holds many challenges and new opportunities.
The next 30 years will be marked by rapid change, ever more pressing environmental issues, ever higher expectations from our customers,
and constantly renewed innovation. More than ever, we will join forces to give nature a greater place in our lives.
To make this vision a reality and a long-term sustainable business, we must constantly adapt and transform ourselves.

Our history has shown us that we know how to make the right choices and take the necessary risks to ensure the long-term future of our company.
Our strength lies in the human relationships we have developed through our values and trust. This gives rise to an energy and dynamism
that we must maintain and, tomorrow, strengthen. Together, we will build SBM's future.

“Let's grow tomorrow together.” My most sincere ambition.
Alexandre Simmler, 1st December 2024.

SBM has a unique story to tell

Discover the incredible adventure of a family-owned group,
created 30 years ago, with strong entrepreneurial roots.

Key dates

1994

JEAN-PAUL SIMMLER CREATES SBM

1994
JEAN-PAUL SIMMLER CREATES SBM

Jean-Paul Simmler creates the company SBM Développement and acquires a production site that belonged to Rhône Poulenc Agrochimie, forming a partnership with the site employees. This entity, specialized in formulating and packaging plant protection products for the agricultural market, is located in Béziers, France. SBM is born, and the adventure begins…

1995

SBM EXTENDS TO CROP PROTECTION

1995
SBM EXTENDS TO CROP PROTECTION

To contribute to warehouse volumes, SBM creates a range of products for crop protection.

1996

CREATION OF NOVAJARDIN

1996
CREATION OF NOVAJARDIN

In the same spirit, SBM expands into the garden world by engaging in the distribution of public products with the creation of NovaJardin.

1999

CREATION OF IRIS

1999
CREATION OF IRIS

To satisfy the growing needs of the garden sector, the Group strengthens itself thanks to the acquisition of IRIS, a production site specialized in the small packaging of products.

2000

SBM PURCHASES AGREVO PRODETECH

2000
SBM PURCHASES AGREVO PRODETECH

SBM purchases the industrial unit AgrEvo ProdeTech, specialized in the formulation of insecticides in Marseille, and doubles its revenue and workforce.

2001

SBM BUYS SOLABIOL

2001
SBM BUYS SOLABIOL

Anticipating the evolution of the natural products market, SBM purchases the garden activity of Samabiol and the Solabiol brand, an expert in natural products. The move allows this new range to benefit from the Group’s comprehensive expertise in testing, registration, manufacturing, and product launches. Through this acquisition, SBM becomes France’s first major player in the garden sector to bet on natural products.

2002

CREATION OF CMPA

2002
CREATION OF CMPA

SBM buys an insecticide molecule (cypermethrin) from Bayer, for which it obtains European registration in 2006. SBM creates CMPA to market this range on the agricultural market in Europe and North Africa. The molecule will also be developed for the garden market.

2007

CLOSURE OF THE MARSEILLE PRODUCTION SITE

2007
CLOSURE OF THE MARSEILLE PRODUCTION SITE

Production at the Marseille factory is stopped definitively.

2009

LAUNCH OF BELEM

2009
LAUNCH OF BELEM

CMPA launches Belem, the first non-systemic soil insecticide granule with a cypermethrin base, registered for corn and sunflowers. It proves to be a success.

2011

ACQUISITION OF CAUSSADE

2011
ACQUISITION OF CAUSSADE

To strengthen its position on the market, NovaJardin expands its offer by acquiring Caussade, which specialized in consumer pest control (rat poison, rodenticide, and household insecticides). This acquisition softens the dependency on seasonality linked to garden operations and allows the company to enter a new market: home protection. The management of this entity is entrusted to Alexandre Simmler.

2013

SBM EXTENDS TO AROMATHERAPY

2013
SBM EXTENDS TO AROMATHERAPY

SBM adds essential oils to their range of activities by purchasing the Laboratoire de Combe d’Ase (LCA), a specialist in aromatherapy.

2016

SBM PURCHASES BAYER ADVANCED AND BAYER JARDIN

2016
SBM PURCHASES BAYER ADVANCED AND BAYER JARDIN

SBM creates a stir by purchasing Bayer Jardin in Europe and Bayer Advanced in the United States. In October 2016, the merger of Bayer Jardin and NovaJardin gives life to SBM Life Science in France.

 

The Group’s new activity is launched among the major world players in this market in Europe and North America, allowing the SBM group to triple its revenue and double its workforce.

 

In November 2016, the Group joins forces with the French Institute of Science and Environment Ecology (iEES) of the University Pierre et Marie Curie de Paris to create a common R&D platform for identifying active biocontrol substances.

2017

Shares taken in specialized laboratory for biocontrol Germe SA

2017
Shares taken in specialized laboratory for biocontrol Germe SA

SBM acquires shares in Germe SA a laboratory specialized in biotechnology and microbiology.

The laboratory’s know-how applied to biocontrol and biostimulant products strengthens and diversifies our expertise while supporting Solabiol in the sector of natural products.

2017

ACQUISITION OF THE PASADENA PLANT

2017
ACQUISITION OF THE PASADENA PLANT

SBM strengthens its presence in North America by purchasing Byer from its formulation and packaging site in Pasadena, Texas, demonstrating to its customers its integration throughout the entire value chain.

2017

AGREEMENT WITH VALAGRO

2017
AGREEMENT WITH VALAGRO

SBM Life Science signs an agreement with Valagro and becomes the owner of several leading brands in garden products allowing the company to market hundreds of references on the European and American markets.

2018

OPENING OF A NEW RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN ILLINOIS

2018
OPENING OF A NEW RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN ILLINOIS

SBM Life Science continues expanding its North American operations by opening its first US-based field research station in White Heath, Illinois.

2018

LAUNCH OF JOINT SBM COMPANY/UNIVERSITY OF SORBONNE LABORATORY

2018
LAUNCH OF JOINT SBM COMPANY/UNIVERSITY OF SORBONNE LABORATORY

SBM Company and the University of Sorbonne combine their expertise and inaugurate NatInControl, a research project established to identify and develop new biocontrol solutions efficient for plant protection against pests.

2018

BAYER ADVANCED TRANSITIONS TO BIOADVANCED IN NORTH AMERICA

2018
BAYER ADVANCED TRANSITIONS TO BIOADVANCED IN NORTH AMERICA
2018

LAUNCH OF SOLABIOL IN EUROPE

2018
LAUNCH OF SOLABIOL IN EUROPE

A pioneer brand in natural gardening for more than 20 years, Solabiol has been helping gardeners to beautify and maintain plants at every stage of gardening. The brand is committed to offering products that guarantee beautiful and healthy plants while respecting the environment.

2018

NEW HEADQUARTERS OPENS IN ECULLY, FRANCE

2018
NEW HEADQUARTERS OPENS IN ECULLY, FRANCE

SBM Company’s headquarters, La Canopée, welcomes local and international teams, clients, and partners. It is an excellent showcase of SBM’s business thanks to its employees, who are also its ambassadors and consumers. SBM tests its products and solutions on Buxus collections, veggie gardens, ornamental trees, and flowers within the site’s beautiful grounds and gardens.

2019

BAYER TRANSITIONS TO PROTECT HOME AND PROTECT GARDEN IN EUROPE

2019
BAYER TRANSITIONS TO PROTECT HOME AND PROTECT GARDEN IN EUROPE

The Protect Garden brand offers an extensive range of products to protect and feed plants and care for the garden.

 

Protect Home offers innovative products for a clean home and an efficient human protection against pests.

2020

ACQUISITION OF BHS GARDEN BUSINESS

2020
ACQUISITION OF BHS GARDEN BUSINESS

SBM Life Science acquires BHS’s Garden business, a key actor in the French market, specialized in fertilizers, soil, lawn seeds, plant protection and outdoor maintenance products.

 

This acquisition complements SBM Life Science’s range, allows it to open up new product categories, and strengthens its position on the French market by consolidating its offer on the LISA (Self Service Agriculture), garden centers and DIY networks.

2021

ACQUISITION OF SEED COMPANY SPG AND OR BRUN – SOILS, FERTILIZERS, AND NATURAL MULCHES

2021
ACQUISITION OF SEED COMPANY SPG AND OR BRUN – SOILS, FERTILIZERS, AND NATURAL MULCHES

SBM enriches its portfolio of solutions for customers and consumers and completes its offer in the French garden market by acquiring SPG and Or Brun.