Photoweb, a subsidiary of Lavigne (Exacompta-Clairefontaine Group), has acquired 100 per cent of the capital of LALALAB. The deal brings together a specialist in online photo development and a European provider of photo printing mobile applications.
Second in the French market of online personalisation, Photoweb has been a part of Exacompta-Clairefontaine Group since 2014. Founded by Jeremy Charoy, Julien Faltot and Julien Philbert, three French entrepreneurs from Nancy, LALALAB is the number one photo print and photo gift application in Europe (by number of downloads and ratings). Their constant search for enhanced quality and improved service makes the partnership between the two companies a natural fit.
“We are delighted to join Photoweb in the Exacompta-Clairefontaine Group and aim to accelerate the growth of its Web to Print department, bringing our expertise in the mobile sector. The quality and knowledge of the group will allow us to rapidly improve the quality of our service and increase the rate of customer retention. As an aside, we have used Clairefontaine envelopes since we launched 2012,” says Jeremy Charoy, Chairman and Co-founder of LALALAB.
“Photoweb is excited about this partnership, which will allow the group to pursue and accelerate its diversification strategy. We strongly believe that the management team can take us to a prominent position in the European mobile photo services market. The complementarity between the two companies will create significant added value for customers,” says Etienne Descure, Co-founder of Photoweb.
Made official on 1st January 2016, the acquisition offers bright prospects. Since its launch in 2012, the LALALAB application has been downloaded over 3 million times in Europe, with 75 per cent of its turnover coming from outside of France. This promises to ensure the position of Exacompta-Clairefontaine Group as a leader in the digital printing and online customisation market.
