CENTAURE

The story of Centaure began in 1936, when Léon Gubri set up a metal workshop in Courbevoie to manufacture their latest invention: a patented aluminium tank for aircraft. Contracts with the army enabled the company to expand and win prestigious contracts, including the Atlantic shipyards and the Paquebot France. In 1950, the need for reconstruction was great, and so there was a need for flexible, manageable ladders: the workshops began to manufacture them. Five years later, Léon Gubri perfected the "Tulipage/dudgeonnage", a process that automatically attaches the rung to the ladder stile. The mass-produced ladders were named Centaure. They were a great success, and Centaure ladders were also sold in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. In 1984, the founder retired, leaving the company to his son. In 2000, Christophe Vinsonneau and Patrick Wuillai bought the company and in 2003 obtained ISO 9002 and then 9001 certification. In 2006, it joined French scaffolding specialist Duarib and French wheelbarrow leader Haemmerlin. They merged in 2011 under the name CDH groupe. Despite this, Centaure continues to innovate, developing its Bamboo telescopic range with integrated wall spreader and tool bag.