Le Fourgon

Le Fourgon operates as an online delivery service for returnable and reusable packaged goods, aiming to reintroduce the deposit system in France. Founded in April 2021 by Charles Christory, Maxime Tharin, and Stéphane Dessein, the company was born from the founders' desire to address environmental issues, particularly the overconsumption of single-use packaging. Charles Christory, a seasoned entrepreneur who previously founded the digital marketing company Adictiz, brings his tech and marketing expertise to his role as CEO. Maxime Tharin leverages his purchasing experience as COO, managing logistics and product offerings, while Stéphane Dessein, the former CTO of Adictiz, leads the company's technology development as CTO.

The business model modernizes the traditional milkman delivery service. Customers, primarily families aged 25-45 but also students and seniors, place orders via the company's website or mobile app. The product range includes over 1,000 items such as beverages, groceries, and household hygiene products, with an emphasis on sourcing from local producers. Le Fourgon generates revenue as a classic distributor, purchasing products and reselling them at a higher price. A key feature of the service is the free delivery, which is carried out using a fleet of electric vans. The company employs its delivery drivers directly on permanent contracts (CDI) to ensure quality service and alignment with company values.

The service's core is the circular economy. During a subsequent delivery, drivers collect the empty glass containers and crates from the customer. These returned items, which can be reused up to 40 times, are then sent to partner washing facilities before being returned to the producers for refilling. This process significantly reduces waste, with the company reporting it has prevented the use of over 25 million single-use containers. The company operates a network of warehouses across France, serving over 2,500 towns and 65,000 customers. Le Fourgon has secured significant funding to fuel its expansion, including a Series A round, with plans to grow its product range, B2B services (currently 12% of the business), and geographic reach.

Keywords: returnable packaging, grocery delivery, circular economy, deposit return scheme, reusable containers, zero-waste, sustainable delivery, e-grocery, French tech, impact startup, beverage delivery, local sourcing, electric vehicle delivery, logistics, waste reduction, glass bottle reuse, B2B delivery services, home goods delivery, eco-friendly business, sustainable consumption