Xavier Pillet, the founder of Naca and manager of the Ufo company, was scared. But the notification of the judgment rendered on October 19 by the Toulon commercial court, which renews the observation period to which his company is subject, has partly reassured him.
“It’s certain, when we look at a balance sheet and see the liabilities, we don’t necessarily realize the company’s potential”, summarizes the entrepreneur who finally had the sympathetic ear of the authority, but also of the legal representative and the public prosecutor. It must be said that Sarl Ufo, founded at the end of the 1980s to develop products in composite materials, mainly for maritime use, such as windsurfing boards, almost disappeared, following three years of procedures and the termination of contract with the GPA riding helmet brand. The manufacture of licensed equipment for this player in equestrian sports, which was initially scheduled to continue until 2033, represented 90% of the turnover of the Var small business.
Who, however, did not take long to bounce back. Xavier Pillet, never short of ideas, launched his own brand in the summer of 2022, Naca Helmet (Naca company), following three years of development around three types of materials, carbon, kevlar and epoxy.
Brevet
“We notably hold a patent relating to a carbon chinstrap”, specifies the business leader whose riding helmets quickly won over the distributor Ekkia, who became a partner. The very durable helmets, but also with a neat aesthetic, are also distinguished by their infinitely customizable magnetic visor. “We have already manufactured 5,000 and we are ultimately aiming for 10,000 to 20,000 per year.”
The 1,500m² workshop where around twenty people work also sees the birth of motorcycle helmet templates, also innovative, entirely finalized on site, thanks to an impressive fleet of machines. This also allows resistance tests with a view to approval. Enough to attract the Toulouse luxury motorcycle brand Brough Superior, for which Naca has returned to the development of carbon parts. “We met at a show, we have been working for them for three years. They released two limited series and now they are working on a road bike”explains Xavier Pillet.
Naca has also launched into ski helmets alongside the Diezz brand, “the made in France aspect interested them, we have just made our first deliveries”.
A plan must be presented
at the hearing on February 15
A big name in luxury might also entrust him with the development of a bicycle helmet.
So many avenues which have so far not been enough to get Naca out of the rut. Placed in receivership on April 13, Naca has just seen its observation period extended by six months. “In the meantime, we have welcomed a provider of new money whose funds will be transformed into capital as part of the continuation plan but I would like to attract others”, says the entrepreneur. Who wants to save their production tool and the twenty associated jobs.
And he’s obviously not the only one. The Chamber of Trades and Crafts presented this Monday, October 30, a check for €1,000 to the company, winner last June of the Grand Prix Innovation Stars et Métiers. A title that suits him… like a helmet!
