With Deep Sadness: The Loss of Our President, François Champier

17.February 2026

the sudden passing of our President, Mr. François Champier, at his home.

It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the sudden passing of our President, Mr. François Champier, who died at his home on February 17.

In this moment of deep sorrow, our hearts go out first and foremost to his family; his father, his wife, his daughter Victoire, his sister and all his family and loved ones during this difficult time. We stand with them in their grief, offering our deepest condolences and unwavering support. For all of us, François was much more than a President or a leader. He was a force, an energy, a constant drive. A deeply committed man, driven by a clear vision and an unwavering will to help our Group grow. His dynamism, his ability to inspire teams, and his high standards combined with great humanity made him a respected and admired leader.

Dear Valued Partner,

His unexpected loss has deeply affected us. A dedicated leader, loyal partner, and man of conviction, he devoted his energy and professionalism to the development of our company and to maintaining the quality of the relationships built with each of you. As tragic as this event may be, it must not prevent us from continuing to ensure the group's operations in the spirit that he instilled: high-quality customer service in every respect, strong relationships with key supplier partners above all else, and the collective involvement of all employees. As such, in accordance with the company's statutes, day-to-day governance is ensured by the current management board under the supervision of the shareholders and their representatives, who now oversee this management committee on a daily basis. Your day-to-day contacts remain the same and are at your service:

• Bernard Mahy, CRO, Sales
• Khalil Ghiloufi, COO, Plant Manager Tunisie & Mexique
• François Tailbot, Vernicolor Romania General Manager
• Christian Meyer, CTO
• Jean Bernard Daste, CFO

The involvement of shareholder representatives (family and funds) alongside us is a daily support, and their representative will also be at your disposal: Guillaume Réquin and Jean Gore, from Pechel Sparring Opportunities.