CEP Office solutions

1860

First origins of the company: the CEP factory was located in an old paper mill, on the Durolle river in order to take advantage of the driving force of the strong water stream.

1923

Creation of CEP company, linked to a specialty of the region of Thiers: the manufacture of knives. CEP produced knife handles with cattle and sheep horns (as well as combs, buttons, etc...). Rejects were crushed and sold as garden fertilizer. CEP was the abbreviation for “Cornes Engrais et Plastiques ” (Horns, Fertiliser and Plastic).

1935

1948CEP showed interest in « plastic » (thermosetting): the Bakelite, created in 1909, which was cheaper with a more regular shape than horn.

First use of injected thermoplastics (polystyrene, polypropylene, ABS…).

1955

First plastic desk accessory, (the “basket bin “Model 101)

1985

Acquisition of the company by the current CEO, Géry DAMBRICOURT.

1990

Acquisition of SRP and TPO, two local companies which were specialized in Cosmetics and Electronics.

1996

Because of an increase in the development of its desk accessories business, a new factory was built in Saint-Rémy sur Durolle (10 km drive from Thiers.)

2006

Creation of a new 4,700 m² warehouse adding storage facilities for Office Products

2010

Creation of a new industrial unit, specialized in screen printing (desk mats).

Cep Office Solutions designs and manufactures office accessories under the CEP brand.

Leader in France, CEP also sells 45% of its products to more than 40 countries, which is possible thanks to an intensive new product policy (protected by patents) matching fashion in terms of design and colours.

CEP Office Solutions distributes its products

- to professionals in companies and administrations via:

• Contract stationers like LYRECO, OFFICE DEPOT, STAPLES, ...
• Mail order companies like VIKING, BRUNEAU, MANUTAN ...

- to private customers via:

• Stationery shops delivered via Wholesalers like ADVEO...
• Supermarkets like INTERMARCHE, AUCHAN, CORA...
• Superstores like METRO, BUREAU VALEE...

CEP Cosmetics produces a complete range of flexible tubes, lids, dispensers, capsules,… aimed at Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics industrialists.

CEP Cosmetics has recently launched a new range of flexible tubes, protected by various patents, whose manufacturing by injection sets a technological breakthrough with traditional extrusion procedures.

L'OREAL, CLARINS, GUINOT MARY COHR, SHISEIDO, CHANEL, SISLEY and other worldwide brand leaders are just some of its clients.

www.cep-cosmetique.fr

CEP Agriculture produces and distributes under the CEP brand, manufacturing complete ranges of pots and containers adapted to modern techniques of soil-free growing as well as to specific demands (sturdiness, ease of handling and design) of sales packaging.

N°3 in Europe in this field, CEP Agriculture sells to horticulture professionals (nurseries and growers)

• directly,
• or through Wholesalers specialised in horticultural products (RAIFFEISEN…).

CEP Agriculture also sells to private customers (repotting pots), via the following intermediaries

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Garden Centers (TRUFFAULT…)

www.cep-agriculture.fr

Plastic

CEP essentially uses “thermoplastic” (polystyrene and polypropylene), renowned for being rigid and solid at room temperature, to soften as its temperature increases and to become liquid at around 250°C. Polystyrene and polypropylene do not release any toxic gas at room temperature and can be easily recycled on melting.

What is an injection mould?

An injection mould is a type of giant “waffle iron” made up of two sections which fit together. The hot and liquid plastic runs into the channels of the mould to give a shape to the product. All our moulds are designed on site in 3D and then manufactured by experts.

Plastic injection

The injection press used consists of an open-ended screw and a frame supporting the two sections of the mould. The frame opens and closes to allow the two sections of the mould to open and close successively.
The plastic pellets are introduced into the open-ended screw and heated to 250°C. When it becomes liquid the plastic is injected under high pressure into the closed mould, filling all the gaps. The mould cools the plastic down to room temperature. It then opens up, releases the plastic product which can be removed and packed. The injection process alone produces perfectly formed products of all shapes and sizes which can weigh between a few grams (plastic tube tops for example) to several kilograms (car bumpers).
The principal sectors using this technology comprise of: car, electronic, robotic, air and medical industries...

Rheology

Rheology (in Greek, rhein : to flow), is the science of flowing liquid material. It is the correct structure of liquid plastic flowing properties which enables the creation of very precise plastic distribution, optimizing quality standards (finish and solidity) and manufacturing constraints.