Strategic Plan to Continue the Surging Growth at the Keybio microbiology lab in Provence

Located in La Ciotat near Marseille, Keybio is the rising star in the Tentamus international network of labs

The German laboratory analysis and inspection specialist Tentamus entered the French market in 2020 when it became the majority shareholder in the Keybio microbiology laboratory in La Ciotat, east of Marseille. After enjoying significant growth over the past few years, the Berlin-based multinational aims to make Keybio the leading French player in the market for microbiological risk management for medical devices. Provence Promotion is supporting this strategic plan in terms of human resources.

Already recognized for its unrivaled expertise in maintaining luxury yachts, the city of La Ciotat is also home to a world-renowned microbiology company specializing in medical devices (implants, artificial hearts, etc.), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary products. Keybio’s expertise attracted the interest of the German company Tentamus, a global leader in analysis, testing, and quality control that provides the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agri-food, and phytosanitary sectors with a diverse range of products and services.

In 2021, Tentamus acquired a 70% stake in Keybio and has implemented a comprehensive growth strategy while leaving the reins in the hands of the existing management team. Christine Lens and Jean-Jérôme Lucchini, the founding directors of Keybio, retain 30% ownership of the company. In just three years, annual revenues have soared by 40%, reaching €5.3 million by the end of 2024 with a forecast of €11 million in revenues by 2027.

To facilitate this rapid development, the company has moved to the Athélia V business park overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This investment, which cost €2 million (excluding building construction), has doubled the surface area of the company’s laboratories to 2000 square meters (including an 80 square meter clean room).

“Every year, we invest between €200 000 and €300 000,” says Thomas Wolf, Country Manager for France at Tentamus Group. Keybio now employs 45 people and, in line with the objectives of its strategic plan, the Provençal laboratory will see its workforce grow to 70 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees by 2028, the majority of whom will be laboratory technicians.

La Ciotat, the pride of the multinational corporation

“Recruitment is proving complex because there is a lack of trained technicians. We’re counting on Provence Promotion’s contacts with training centers to help us hire around two dozen technicians. We’re also working on making Keybio more attractive to talent by strengthening the employer brand, augmenting the remuneration package, and promoting the amazing quality of life at our site at the gateway to the Calanques National Park. The Keybio laboratory in La Ciotat is the pride of the group and a source of genuine delight every time the Tentamus management team visits,” says Thomas Wolf. 

The company also announced investments in device connectivity, data centralization, automation, and reporting to guarantee reliability and speed of operation.

Keybio is home to the head office of Tentamus France, a holding company that has brought together operations in Lyon, Lille, and La Rochelle as part of the company’s external growth strategy. Founded in 2011, Tentamus employs 4000 people at 97 sites in 22 countries. 

In collaboration with Business France Germany, Keybio is receiving continued support from Provence Promotion in the post-acquisition phase of the project as part of the Go Between in Provence program, which is dedicated to the sale and transfer of businesses in Provence.