50 Years of MODELEC: from yesterday to now

The Beginnings of MODELEC

A mold maker by trade, Raymond Hanin came across an opportunity during one of his business trips abroad in the 1970s to resell a stock of extension sockets. The company, then called MODUL, was founded shortly afterwards. Together with Marie Mamane, they began working with large grocery chains (GSA) and home improvement stores (GSB) and quickly decided to develop their own products, which were more innovative and of higher quality.

In the mid-1980s, BHV—an iconic department store in central Paris—began carrying MODUL products, marking a major turning point for the company. The founders seized this opportunity and decided to launch their line of electrical fixtures.

The MODUL brand then became MODELEC, and its business model evolved: to offer electrical fixtures that went beyond standardized products and were no longer merely functional, but also beautiful. Wood, resin, Bakelite… MODELEC explored the possibilities these materials had to offer. The light switch then became the company’s flagship product.

And with it, MODELEC’s identity began to evolve.

The turning point

The success of the first MODELEC switches sparked a new ambition: to raise MODELEC’s profile nationwide and expand its business. The founders then decided to reach out directly to electricians and installers through specialized distribution networks and to offer a high-end product that would appeal to architects.

This decision marked a decisive turning point in MODELEC’s second chapter, as we know it today. The family-owned business grew and by then employed about ten people. In 2014, Renaud Lochon—now the company’s co-CEO—was hired as a plastics engineer.

Raymond Hanin saw him as his successor and, in a symbolic gesture, gave him his caliper.

Growth

In 2019, MODELEC joined forces with the lighting manufacturer DCW Éditions, founded by Frédéric Winkler. It was at this time that Alaric Miaume, who would become co-CEO alongside Renaud Lochon, joined MODELEC, bringing his business and marketing expertise.

With its expanded teams, a clear strategic vision, and a growing interest in interior design, MODELEC developed the style that would become its signature: collaborations with architects and designers, residential projects, hospitality projects, and a drive to constantly push the boundaries.

MODELEC offers a complete service: support, consulting, and a personal touch. Driven by strong growth over the past 10 years—with revenue of 21 M€ projected for 2025—MODELEC has established itself as the leader in high-end electrical equipment in France and a major player at the European level. The residential sector currently accounts for 80% of MODELEC’s revenue, while the small commercial sector—particularly the hospitality industry—accounts for 20%.

MODELEC has succeeded in transforming a niche product—the high-end light switch—into a hallmark of discerning projects.

From a small, family-run business with three employees, MODELEC has grown into an SME employing more than 80 people in France, as well as in Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Italy.

International expansion

Since 2023, the company is gradually accelerating its expansion into European markets, notably Spain, Italy, and the Benelux countries. These markets now represent 15% of MODELEC’s revenue and are a key growth driver for the years ahead. This momentum aligns with MODELEC’s ambition to strengthen its presence beyond its borders and continue its expansion across Europe.

But expanding internationally doesn’t simply mean crossing borders. It also means learning to meet new needs, uses and standards. For example, in Italy, MODELEC has adapted to Italian market standards by developing a product line in 3-, 4- and 6-module formats, as well as specific functions.

This international expansion is in line with what defines MODELEC’s identity: offering solutions designed and manufactured in France, while meeting the expectations of new markets and new professionals.

An everlasting identity

Since its founding in 1976, MODELEC has built itself on a foundation of artisanal and industrial expertise, with a constant commitment to quality and innovation.

These core principles remain at the heart of its development today. True to its origins, MODELEC follows the same guiding principles by focusing on:

• Quality: Since 1976, MODELEC has relied on the LCIE (Central Laboratory for Electrical Industries) to certify its products and ensure their compliance.

• Technology: closely monitoring developments in the industry and changing usage patterns

• Ease of installation: products that are easy to install in standard flush-mount boxes

• Design: products with a refined design intended to blend into all types of projects, developed in collaboration with architects and designers.

• Excellence in local French manufacturing: MODELEC has been working for many years with partners in the Île-de-France region

A fundamentally human-centered company

Before becoming a major player in the industry, MODELEC was first and foremost a family business that placed people at the heart of its success. For Marie Mamane, the founder, “going to work wasn’t supposed to be a chore, but a pleasure, a joy.”

When she decided to hand over the company in 2019, Marie Mamane set a condition that perfectly encapsulates MODELEC’s philosophy:

“To hand the company over to you, I have one condition: I’m not handing it over so you can make money—because you’ll make money; that goes without saying. But I’m handing it over so that you can continue the humanitarian work we’ve managed to establish within the company.”

A vision that remains ever-present and is now carried forward by the co-CEOs, Alaric MIAUME and Renaud LOCHON.

“The pleasure we all take in knowing one another and knowing who’s behind each product is truly a great source of satisfaction. ” — Renaud Lochon

“We’re fortunate to have the freedom for each person to grow while being themselves. That’s the special atmosphere we have here. You’re never at your best at work unless you’re at peace with yourself.” — Alaric Miaume

This sense of closeness and focus on people remain at the heart of MODELEC’s culture. Today, MODELEC has nearly 90 employees, some of whom have been with the company for nearly 30 years.

This loyalty speaks to the special bond that unites the teams: that of a company where everyone can find their place, grow, and continue to contribute to a story that is, above all, a collective one.