According to a press release, Yves Rocher, president and founder of the Yves Rocher enterprise, died at the age of 79 on December 26 from a sudden stroke.
The pioneer and entrepreneur succeeded in bringing his Breton family business to the multinational tier without ever compromising his values.
Despite the recent economic tribulations this year, the corporation stood as an independent family company, with 75% control, and was able to remain financially stable while retaining its values and ethics.
Over the years, Yves Rocher has expanded its ventures with the addition of Daniel Jouvance, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, Galerie Noémie, Isabel Derroisné, Kiotis in the cosmetics world, Petit Bateau (acquired in 1988) in the fashion industry, as well as the home goods company Stanhome (acquired in 1998).
With international businesses in over 20 countries, the Yves Rocher corporation has generated figures of over $3 000 000 000 CAD, in addition to employing over 15 000 people worldwide.