Tahe Outdoor France in difficulty

02/03/2026

On 27 February 2026, Tahe Outdoors France, formerly the jewel in the crown of the nautical industry under the name Bic Sport, began receivership proceedings at the Vannes Commercial Court, France. This decision, preceded by that of its Cognac subsidiary in December 2025, marks a critical turning point for this company, which employs between 66 and 88 people. Faced with the withdrawal of financial support from its shareholder, the Luxembourg-based fund KJK Sports, the company is actively seeking a buyer. Renaud Lacoste, its president, remains optimistic. With a six-month observation period, the aim is to preserve unique expertise in plastics technology and flagship brands such as TAHE and SIC Maui, while maintaining production in Vannes.

This situation contrasts with the golden years of Bic Sport, founded on Marcel Bich's vision. Born in 1914, this sailing enthusiast revolutionised everyday products with the Cristal pen in 1950, the lighter in 1973 and the razor in 1975. In 1979, he created Bic Sport by acquiring Tabur Marine, applying mass production methods to water sports. The company quickly became the world leader in windsurfing, selling up to 90,000 units per year in the 1980s. It democratised board sports with robust and accessible products, such as the Techno 293 for juniors and sit-on-top kayaks.
The Vannes site, located in Morbihan, France, embodies manufacturing excellence. Resisting relocation to Asia, it excels in proprietary technologies: ACE-TEC for rigid, lightweight Epoxy composite boards, and TOUGH-TEC for indestructible polyethylene equipment. In 2021, the factory produced 70,000 items annually, including windsurf boards, kayaks, SUPs, surfboards and wingfoils. These environmental innovations, with recycling of waste and low energy consumption, underline a commitment to sustainability.

In 2019, Bic sold the subsidiary to Tahe Outdoors, renamed TAHE in 2021. Despite a post-Covid boom, the market began to slow down in 2022: saturation, the rise of inflatable SUP boards, energy inflation and Asian competition eroded margins. Tahe attempted to diversify into automotive subcontracting and rental stations, but difficulties persisted.
Today, 66 people in Vannes are directly affected by the six-month observation period. The search for a buyer is underway. The assets remain real: recognised brands, strong positioning in one-design classes such as Techno 293, and industrial facilities that are unique in Europe. The stakes go beyond the survival of a company. It is a question of preserving strategic know-how and a part of the industrial history of French and European sailing.