Over a Century of Expertise

The journey began when cartwright René le Godais opened a business in Laval in 1889, alongside a team of five skilled companions. As a manufacturer and repairer of carriages, he quickly became renowned for his expertise in dogcarts, thanks to the state-of-the-art equipment he purchased at the 1900 World’s Fair. Under the leadership of René’s son, also named René, the business produced over 10,000 dogcarts.

Recognizing that automobile manufacturers couldn’t fully meet customer needs, Marius Gruau, who joined the company in 1929, initiated the custom vehicle conversion business. In 1933, Carrosserie Gruau was formed, designing and building bodies for passenger cars, as well as vans, coaches, trucks, semitrailers and livestock trailers. Securing a significant order for 250 army buses propelled Gruau from a small-scale business to an industrial enterprise.

In 1955, Gruau achieved a significant milestone by securing a major order for 250 buses for the Air Force, marking a definitive shift from a small-scale operation to a full-fledged industrial enterprise. René Gruau, the son of Marius, played a crucial role in this by creating the engineering department needed to fulfil this huge order.

During this period, Gruau experienced notable successes and moved to a larger site. Gruau’s reputation expanded to all of western France, where the regional upfitter primarily worked with two major automotive manufacturers: Citroën and Saviem-Berliet. Under the leadership of René Gruau, the industrial expansion of the site gained further momentum. René gradually shifted Gruau’s focus towards commercial vehicles and fostered strategic partnerships with various automotive brands.

Patrick Gruau, the fifth generation of family business leaders, who joined the operation in 1980, assumed leadership in 1985 following the untimely passing of his father, René. Patrick Gruau introduced a comprehensive quality approach that emphasized participatory management. This approach led Gruau to become the first European upfitter to obtain ISO certification in 1993.

In 1987, together with his management team, Patrick Gruau initiated external growth strategies by acquiring Gruau Paris (1987) and Gruau Saint-Etienne (1991). These endeavours solidified Gruau’s specialization in commercial vehicles. The company established the first network of commercial vehicle kit distributors in France and expanded its collaborations with automotive manufacturers.

After a decade of investments in quality and ISO certification, Gruau was honoured with the French Quality Prize. That same year, Gruau further solidified its corporate structure and status as a group through successful external growth operations, including the acquisitions of Isberg and Picot.

As automotive manufacturers revamped their product ranges, Gruau responded by updating 95% of its product line during this period. Gruau’s expertise and reputation expanded across its various business areas. While firmly established with its traditional range in France, the Gruau Group set its sights on international expansion, positioning itself as a multi-specialist in commercial vehicles. The company also strengthened its “OEM Products” business by introducing high-volume Kangoo conversions at Gruau Laval (1996) and establishing Gruau Lorraine (1998) to handle Renault Minibus conversions.

Gruau further expanded its “Ambulances” division by acquiring the companies Petit (Tours) and Sanicar (Grenoble), propelling its Ambulance division to become the second-largest in France, with three specialized brands. The growing Polish market presented new opportunities, leading to the establishment of Gruau Polska as the group’s first international expansion. Gruau successfully certified its inaugural Polish lineup and further expanded its business by providing support to European manufacturers operating in Poland.

In its traditional operations, the Group, already involved in the high-volume van market under the Gruau brand, expanded by acquiring Labbé (2002), the leading French company, thereby gaining a new facility in Lamballe. Responding to both OEM product development and international expansion, Gruau established Gruau Iberica in Barcelona (2003) as its second foreign site. Additionally, a new venture emerged with the introduction of the Gruau microbus, a solution for urban transport.

The group entered the Spanish market by venturing into the “Leisure Vehicles” segment based on the Renault Trafic Generation.

A new urban multiservice transport solution was created: the Gruau microbus. 3 versions were developed: the diesel version, the Valeo STARS starter-alternator version and the electric version.

Gruau strengthened its local presence and expanded its distribution network, establishing 125 service points across Europe, and becoming the leading European network of commercial vehicle kit distributors.

Gruau Laval won a van upfit contract and completely reconfigured its site. Launch of the Gruau Group’s 2010 project: all employees took part in the update.

In 2011, the group updated its Corporate Strategy Project and implemented the 2015 project through a participatory approach involving all employees. This initiative resulted in the development of the ELECTRON range, a lineup of electric commercial vehicles. Gruau Polska, celebrating its 10th anniversary, embraced the participatory approach by establishing its first Corporate Strategy Project.

To explore new markets, particularly in Europe, the group established an International Development Department. Gruau Le Mans diversified its offerings by introducing Gruau vans. Notably, in September 2012, Gruau customized two Kangoo ZEs for Pope Benedict XVI. In late 2012, the group met its strategic objectives by reorganizing into two main divisions: Urban Mobility and Medical Vehicles.

In February 2013, a new external growth operation took place: Gruau acquired Lanéry (a specialist in firefighting vehicle conversions). This operation was part of its Corporate Strategy Project, Project 2015, which aimed to strengthen its traditional activities in France, in addition to expanding internationally and in the field of electric vehicles. In May, the Gruau Group consolidated its position as European leader by winning 2/3 of the Ministry of the Interior’s call for bids. This accomplishment, securing nearly 70% of the conversion market for manufacturers who bid on the public procurement project, highlighted Gruau’s leadership in the upfitting market.

In September 2014, Gruau participated in the UAV SHOW and introduced a groundbreaking innovation: a drone transport vehicle. In early 2014, Gruau achieved an impressive feat by delivering 1,107 ambulances to the DGPC (General Directorate for Civil Protection) in record time. This accomplishment was made possible through the strong collaboration and synergy between the group’s two industrial divisions.

In 2015, the group continued its international expansion by establishing Gruau USA near its partner Knapheide in Kansas City and opening a second site in Poland, close to Warsaw. Committed to providing enhanced services to its customers, Gruau launched the Gruau Occasions brand, offering refurbished pre-owned vehicles.

In 2016, building on its 10 years of experience in electric vehicles, Gruau introduced the first range of 3.5-tonne 100% electric commercial vehicles: the ELECTRON II series, equipped with Gruau-designed Electric Traction Chains. The company formed a strategic partnership with the German company Sortimo, resulting in Sortimo by Gruau in France and the Gruau by Sortimo joint venture in Germany, reinforcing its presence in the market.

In 2017, Gruau acquired Onnicar, a leading Italian specialist in aluminium tipper bodies. As the company approached the launch of its 6th Corporate Strategy Project, Project 2022, which defined its international ambitions, Gruau signed its first partnership contract in China with the manufacturer BSV (Brilliance Special Vehicle) in 2018. This strategic move was followed by the establishment of Gruau Deutschland, solidifying its position in the German market.

To celebrate its 130th anniversary, the group hosted a week-long exhibition featuring 130 converted and customized vehicles for various industries. The exhibition showcased a combination of 105 modern vehicles from Gruau’s French and international subsidiaries, along with 25 vintage vehicles. The event also provided an opportunity for the teams to welcome over 2,000 guests and commemorate this milestone. As part of the celebration, L’Aventure Gruau was inaugurated – an extraordinary space that narrates the history of the family-owned company, highlighting the expertise of the Gruau teams and the visionary leadership of its captains.