A long-standing bedding manufacturer and retailer has been placed in receivership, following a decline in activity and growing competition from online platforms. The decision, issued by the Saint-Nazaire Commercial Court on 26 March, came at the request of the company's management amid an increasingly strained economic environment.
Valentin & Moënner, which operates under two entities, "Literie Moënner" in Quimper and "Literie Valentin" across ten retail stores, employs 64 staff in total. Production remains based in Quimper, where 39 employees continue manufacturing bed bases and mattresses. The company's 25 commercial staff manage retail locations across Brittany and beyond, including Laval, Poitiers and La Rochelle.
Owned since 2018 by the Sofia holding group, Valentin & Moënner had invested heavily in growth, including €8 million in 2019 for a new 5,700m² production and retail facility. The firm aimed to establish a national presence, with hopes of reaching 100 stores by 2030. Despite this ambition and ongoing operations at the time of the court ruling, the financial strain proved unsustainable.
The company's origins date back to 1963, when it was founded in Quimper as "Literie Moënner." The brand evolved through multiple ownerships, notably expanding under Philippe Guéguen in the 2000s, and later rebranding as "Valentin" under Sofia's leadership.
Executives maintain that there have been no layoffs and that both factory and retail sites remain operational. Efforts are underway to identify a viable path forward. According to media reports, two established companies have expressed serious interest in taking over, with bids expected by 23 April.
The situation remains fluid as the court-appointed receiver and company leadership explore recovery options. Whether a buyer will step in to preserve the company's legacy and workforce remains to be seen.
Source: www.meuble-info.fr