Hugo Régondeau has the circular economy in his blood. “ When I was little, I was immersed in both the world of entrepreneurship, thanks to the carpentry of my paternal grandparents, and that closer to the environment through my maternal grandparents who were farmers. “, he says. He deepened this dual culture in his studies by first completing a management degree, then a master's degree in environmental management science. At the end of his course, he combined these two worlds by discovering the circular economy within the La Matière de Périgny association. “ I already had the plan to join the family company while bringing the recycling side to it. “, he says.
Entrepreneur looking for wasteland
After three years spent giving a second life to waste, particularly from construction, he joined the Régondeau workforce. Here, while discovering the different carpentry trades (manufacturing, installation, troubleshooting), he simultaneously began working on the creation of a recycling platform for wooden, steel, aluminum and PVC closures.
« I contacted the company Menrec which has a recycling center in Saint-Allouestre (56) and which is seeking to develop a network of dealers. They were interested in my project and supported me in the creation of the Retroverso company that I plan to create », describes Hugo Régondeau who is currently looking for land of around 4,000 m² in the community of communes of Marennes or Rochefort. “ An industrial wasteland preferably », underlines the entrepreneur who aims to be operational within a year.
A target of 3,000 tonnes per year
While waiting for the land, the future business manager has “concreted” his project: « We will pay Menrec 20 euros (excl. VAT) per tonne of recycled joinery, and we will invoice companies between 150 and 200 €/t. We will have to recycle 1,300 tonnes of joinery per year to be profitable. We want to start with 1,500 tonnes with the aim of increasing to 3,000 tonnes, knowing that 6,000 tonnes are thrown away annually in the department. ».
With this objective, Hugo Régondeau intends to create four jobs knowing that 90% of the processing will be carried out mechanically. « There will be insertion, I want it », insists the boss of Retroverso who is already looking into the future by considering, ultimately, creating a store for the resale of used joinery.
Located in Marennes-Oléron, specialized
in the manufacture and installation of joinery
exterior, the Régondeau company employs
37 people for a turnover
of 3.5 million euros in 2023.
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