Monroc has grown from a small family business into a key player in the agro-industrial axle market. Our journey has been defined by moments of transformation, innovation, and expansion, shaping our company and solidifying our commitment to excellence.
The story of Roc axles began in a modest garage in Coex, Vendée, when Eugène Gateau decided to start his own business. In the aftermath of World War II, he initially focused on repairing agricultural equipment, converting wartime rifles into hunting firearms, and machining axles for agricultural machinery. These early years, characterized by ingenuity and adaptability, laid the strong foundation for what would eventually become Monroc. E. Gateau named his company Rochland, which primarily produced agricultural presses.
In 1962, Roger Monvoisin founded his own company under the brand FOR, which later became Sonamia. This company acted as a sales agent for Rochland axles.
Monroc truly took off in 1971 when Rochland was acquired by the American company Hesston. This led Sonamia and E. Gateau to join forces and establish Monroc—a name derived from the combination of Monvoisin and Rochland. Monroc set up operations in La Roche-sur-Yon with a team of 10 employees working out of a rented workshop. The company quickly moved to its own larger premises in Saint-Étienne-du-Bois, which facilitated its growth. Focused on axle manufacturing, Monroc rapidly earned a reputation as a high-quality manufacturer that adhered to strict technical standards and customer requirements.
Before long, Sonamia became the sole shareholder, and Monroc began expanding internationally, exporting to North Africa and Europe. This international outreach allowed the company to diversify its markets while honing its expertise to meet the specific needs of foreign clients.
To keep up with growing demand, Monroc relocated its production site to a 1,500 m² facility in Saint-Étienne-du-Bois in 1975. The company continued to broaden its range of axles and earned its first CEMAGREF braking certifications, further solidifying its reputation for robust, high-quality products.
In 1979, Patrick Monvoisin became the President of the company and focused on expanding the product range and application solutions across all areas of agricultural and industrial equipment. In the years that followed, Monroc strengthened its team by hiring a Factory Director Engineer and adopted a modernization strategy, integrating cutting-edge technology. The acquisition of its first CNC lathe revolutionized production methods, enabling the company to boost productivity while ensuring greater precision in axle manufacturing.
The following decade was marked by significant growth both in France and internationally. The integration of Alsace-based Stein axles in 1985 brought TÜV certifications and doubled the covered area to 4,000 m². Monroc began developing heavier products, including tandems, tridems, and bogies, to better meet the demands of the agricultural and industrial sectors. This diversification of products allowed Monroc to strengthen its presence in key European markets and beyond.
In 2001, Olivier Croix, an Arts et Métiers engineer and Patrick Monvoisin’s son-in-law, became Director. He strengthened the engineering department and further advanced automation in both machining and assembly processes. Always at the forefront of innovation, Monroc filed a patent in 2006 for an electronic steering axle guidance system, the ROCTRONIC. This invention, which won an innovation award at the International Agricultural Machinery Show, showcased Monroc’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries to enhance product performance and deliver innovative solutions tailored to customer needs.
To secure its supply chain and establish a presence in the Asian market, Monroc opened a subsidiary in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, in 2007. This strategic development allowed Monroc to capitalize on new opportunities in the rapidly growing Asian market.
In 2010, Olivier Croix assumed full leadership of the company. Under his presidency, Monroc continued its modernization efforts, investing in new initiatives and optimizing its supply chain, including the creation of a sourcing office in China, SONASIA. These measures enabled the company to maintain its competitive edge in the global market.
In 2021, Erwann Monvoisin, Patrick’s son, succeeded Olivier as President. Under his leadership, Monroc entered a new phase of development, marked by the construction of a new facility and the integration of a certified braking test bench. This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technology while increasing production capacity.
Since 2023, Monroc has continued its growth with a 2,300 m² extension, featuring a dedicated multi-axle assembly workshop, a storage area, and a testing facility. These new infrastructures enhance Monroc’s ability to test and refine its products, underscoring its unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
