Gonzalve Bich, 45, took over the reins of the family business in 2018, succeeding his father Bruno, who reached the age limit set by the group's statutes at 72.
Gonzalve Bich, grandson of the founder of the French giant of disposable plastic pens, lighters and razors, will hand over the reins of the group by September 2025, time to identify his successor, Bic announced in a press release on Wednesday.
“The Board of Directors of Bic and Gonzalve Bich announce a transition process relating to the completion of the latter's mandates, and which aims to appoint a new Director General by September 30, 2025,” specifies the press release.
Gonzalve Bich, 45, took over the reins of the family business in 2018, succeeding his father Bruno, who reached the age limit set by the group's statutes at 72.
2.2 billion euros in turnover
“Gonzalve Bich will continue to assume his functions as Managing Director and administrator until a successor is identified”, who could therefore for the first time not come from the family of Marcel Bich, his grandfather , founder of the group in 1945.
“The representatives of the Bich family on the Board of Directors express their sincere thanks to Gonzalve Bich for the work accomplished” and “confirmed that they will vote in favor of all relevant resolutions during the General Meetings of Bic shareholders,” adds the press release.
After starting as a consultant at Deloitte in the United States, Gonzalve Bich joined Bic in 2003, responsible for developing the business in Asia. Eldest son of Bruno Bich and designated to succeed him, he became deputy CEO in June 2016 then CEO in May 2018, without however chairing the board of directors.
The specialist in disposable razors, with a turnover of 2.26 billion euros in 2023, saw its sales decline over the first three quarters, in particular due to a sharp decline in purchases of disposable lighters in the United States, its first market.
