BCD (BOIS CARBONE DESIGN) is a French brand that designs, manufactures and distributes aesthetic accessories for motorized two-wheeled vehicles.
Almost 30 years !
Society creation
In 1994 the company was created by Christophe PLASSARD. Its activity was focused on the production and restoration of car dashboards in wood and carbon. Hence the name BOIS CARBONE DESIGN. Like a start-up, it is in the cellar of his father's workshop that the activity begins. Quickly his wife Céline then his brother Charles PLASSARD joined the adventure. It is at this moment that the skills of woodworking mixed with innovative composite techniques are developed to be fully mastered by Christophe and Charles.
A meeting
A meeting with a press editor - Stevens editions - who came to do a subject for a car magazine will set the stage for a fairing project for a 50cc scooter. The idea quickly made its way with the opportunity to communicate in paper format on aesthetic preparation accessories with the attraction of their design and their novelty. Some models of parts are made of fiberglass on the YAMAHA BW's (including the mythical double optics) and sold through an advertising page on their specialized magazine. Orders quickly flood in, which forces the first employees to be hired for production.
New production technique
The change in production technique initiated by the discovery of thermoplastic techniques during a visit to a specialist, makes it possible to find a solution to produce quickly and thus meet the exploding demand. It is at this moment that the company will definitively cease its dashboard activity to devote itself entirely to the development of a catalog of accessories for 50cc two-wheelers. We set up the recycling of our waste (the plastic is crushed then reused).
New factory (Malakoff, Paris region)
Two-wheeler show in Paris, partnerships with all the press, success is always there and it was in 1999 that the company moved to its new factory in Malakoff in the Paris region. Le développement de la structure commerciale se renforce au rythme des nouveaux projets avec toujours la vente par correspondance à laquelle s'ajoute la distribution aux concessionnaires, puis aux grossistes.
The legitimacy of the brand ends up seducing the manufacturers of two wheels. MBK under the bosom of YAMAHA approaches us 4 months before the world of two wheels. They offer us to entrust us with a new scooter (the STUNT) and to let our creativity run wild by producing a prototype which will be presented at the head of the stand. In record time, we provide them with a rolling prototype that will be seen and noticed by thousands of enthusiasts. Under the impetus of such success, we were contacted by PIAGGIO, PEUGEOT cycles with whom we produced limited series.
Best-seller Booster BW'S
In 2004, MBK decided to call on us when presenting the new BOOSTER at the Mondial du 2 Roues. BCD accepts the challenge and develops in record time a new face and a rear shell. The presentation of an ultimate version on their stand will perpetuate the legend of boster-bw's bestseller for years to come. A few days after the euphoria, the demand becomes pressing on the part of the public who asks for a BCD limited series on the BOOSTER. At the end of November, after signing a commercial contract with the factory in Saint Quentin, we found a manufacturer in Taiwan capable of producing gigantic molds in record time and supplying us with a series of 500 kits. It was a feat to be able to announce in March to MBK that the container was loaded with the first delivery to France. The collaboration was very beneficial for all and made it possible to establish the notoriety of the brand with manufacturers and the general public.
Decline of the 50cc
From 2007 to 2013 despite the effort of machine and human investments, the decline of the 50cc is confirmed and we decide to reduce our staff in order to be able to preserve the activity.
Success of the Yamaha TMAX
In 2014, we changed course towards the MAXISCOOTER and more particularly the YAMAHA TMAX for which we first made light covers then an XT screen. It's a total success in a niche where we could rewrite the same codes that made the brand so successful: design, quality, exclusivity. Marketing is now only done with resellers and B2C.
New industrial premise
En 2017, we separated from our Malakoff factory to move to a real industrial premises of 1000 m² and 10 meters of ceiling in Antony (92).
Strengthening our network
2018 and 2019: many parts are created for all generations of TMAX, we strengthen our customer network with new contacts in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Our best year, thanks to you !
2020 is the COVID year. As we have the know-how and the machines for working Plexiglas, we develop transparent counter screens and the machines run from 6am until 8pm non-stop. More than 4000 screens manufactured during this period. We buy a large format laser machine, a huge machining center to be able to produce. At the same time, following the confinement, the owners of TMAX find the time to equip their scooter and the orders fly away. It is the conjuncture of these two demands that has allowed us to have our best year since the creation of the company.
Objective zero subcontracting
2021 objective zero subcontracting : faced with supply difficulties and especially faced with the quality concerns that we encounter when we outsource the bending part of our aluminum parts, we are investing in a latest generation press brake. This allows us to no longer outsource only the anodizing part (color and protection of the aluminium), but also to reduce our carbon footprint in terms of transport.
Realization of a photo studio (cyclo)
2022: on the occasion of the launch of our new B2B site combined with the release of the new TMAX, we are creating a photo studio (cyclo) to facilitate shooting. We continue to develop many new parts and extend our applications to motorcycles.