Cybergun

In 1983 Jérôme Marsac, a scale model enthusiast, formed, together with Vincent Bouvet, his own company : CIMB - Commerciale et Industrielle Marsac Bouvet – which imported and distributed radio-controlled models from specialist resellers. With dazzling business progress (FRF47m turnover in 1990 for a workforce of 30 people) and expansion of its range, CIMB quickly became a leader in the dynamic scale model market in France. It then became interested in the JOUEF Group, a national manufacturer of miniature trains which it resold in 1991.

At the same time, the company "Les Trois Pylônes"was formed in 1986 for selling "ready-to-fly" models (as opposed to kits). It gradually developed its business and, in 1993, became an importer and distributor of original products, Air Soft Gun®, imitation replica pistols firing 6 mm plastic balls. Low powered and therefore harmless, these replicas with multiple reproduction capabilities were for adults only.

 The company which by that time had become a Société Anonyme,signed its first exclusive European license contract (now extended to the whole world) with Smith & Wesson®. This contract enabled it to import and distribute the models of brands whose intellectual rights were guaranteed. Other big names in the defense industry (COLT®, SIG SAUER,TAURUS®, IMI (UZI®), DESERT EAGLE™, FAMAS, TANFOGLIO®, MAUSER, THOMPSON®, AUTO-ORDNANCE, KALASHNIKOV...), aware of the issues at stake, had no hesitation in following the movement (see license certificates on inside back cover).
In a few years, "Les Trois Pylônes" then became world leader in the licensed exact replica pistol market. As most of the brands held by Les Trois Pylônes had an unequalled reputation, the company enjoyed outstanding success. Between 1996 and 1999, turnover increased by 400%.
 Les Trois Pylônes simplified its name to become "3 P". And on 9th December 1999, the company floated on the free market of the Paris Bourse. At the beginning of 2000, 3P signed a world exclusive license with COLT® relating to the brand and all its models (including video pistols). BERETTA®, TAURUS® and DESERT EAGLE™ were not far behind, offering 3P new outlets.
 In September 2001, 3P S.A. became Cybergun S.A. 2001 was also the year in which the first USA orders were taken, an area not yet exploited by Cybergun. In 2002, the American market took off and by the end of the year (ended 31st March 2003) was to represent 24.1% of Cybergun's total turnover (33.3% of exports). In Europe, sales were holding up with new markets being won, particularly in Eastern Europe and new licenses being signed with players in the Japanese market. 2002 was also the year of major investment:
● R & D: purchase of moulds, new packaging, technical innovations
● Acquisition of new licenses: Thompson/Auto ordnance on 1st April, Eric Grauffel - double world champion – IPSC on 31st July and DPMS Panther Arms on 19th September.

On 5th July 2002, Cybergun successfully transferred to the Euronext second market. 2003 stood out as a year of growth (+66%), primarily driven by the USA. This success justified the formation of the subsidiary CYBERGUN USA LLC, in November 2003 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and qualified personnel were taken on to support the distributor SOFTAIR USA, including John Steele, former vice-president of licensing at SMITH & WESSON. 2003 was also the year in which two revolutionary patents were filed: BAX and CYCLONE.

On 1st April 2004, CYBERGUN bought out its wholesale distributor SOFTAIR USA, which then became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group. Over the year, CYBERGUN negotiated a major contract with a large chain store thus increasing the number of points of sale in the USA from 1,300 to 2,600.

At the end of September 2004, Cybergun acquired the Beretta license, the 19th brand name in its portfolio. In January 2005, Eric Gruau, aged 38, replaced Thierry Naccache