In January 2024, as part of a strategic move to consolidate its leading position in the luxury chauffeuring market, Chabé acquired Limo +.
Chabé has recently made a strategic move by acquiring Limo +, a prominent player in the luxury chauffeuring sector. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Chabé’s expansion efforts, particularly in catering to the top end of the market and diversifying its service offering. The acquisition is a natural fit for Chabé’s vision of delivering exceptional luxury transportation experiences.
Limo+ specialises in the top end of the market serving private individuals, private equity, and financial services firms.
Chabé London already has expertise in these markets but with this new acquisition, Chabé will be able to strengthen its leading position.
“The decision to acquire Limo + stems from Chabé’s commitment to enhancing its service portfolio and strengthening its position in key markets” explains David Bruce, Director of Chabé London. “By integrating Limo +’s expertise and resources into our operations, we aim to elevate the level of service we provide to our clients across various verticals we serve. This strategic move not only expands Chabé’s market reach but also reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner for luxury transportation services.”
As Chabé continues to grow and innovate, this acquisition underscores its commitment to excellence and dedication to providing exceptional service to its clients. With the integration of Limo + into its operations, Chabé looks forward to embarking on this new chapter of growth and success.
London-based chauffeur John Davies, who drives for Chabé, has won the Bronze Award in the Professional Driver of the Year category of the prestigious Professional Driver QSi Awards.
Professional Driver Editor Mark Bursa said: “It says a lot for John Davies that when Chabé was starting operations, he was the first driver to be recruited. He’s become something of a ‘team captain’, for the company, with an air of calm professionalism and trustworthiness that is vital when dealing with senior executives of large corporations. Earlier this year he was diagnosed with cancer, but has now been given the all-clear and is back at work.”
Professional Driver magazine’s QSi Awards ceremony was a night to remember for the cream of Britain’s chauffeur and private hire operators. The awards, open to every chauffeur and private hire company in the UK, are designed to recognise operators and individuals that demonstrate excellent standards of Quality, Service and Innovation.
This award recognizes John as a key pillar of our excellent fully employed paye chauffeur team. Chabé remains one of the few chauffeur businesses in London that retains a fully employed, paye chauffeur team.
Congratulations to John for this outstanding achievement, and a big thank you to the entire Chabé team for their continuous support.
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in 11 categories at a thrilling event, held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton.
The 11 categories mean there’s something for every size and type of operator, from one-man bands to large fleets. Categories also reward innovations in marketing, environmental performance and local community activities, while a special award – Professional Driver of the Year – singles out a chauffeur or private hire driver who is judged to be the best in the UK.
Mark Bursa said: “The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry makes an enormous contribution to keeping Britain moving. This year’s Professional Driver QSi Awards recognise those amazing efforts and bring the industry together for a much-needed night of celebration.”
Mark Bursa continued: “This year the QSi Awards celebrated their 10th Birthday. Since 2013 we have awarded more than 300 QSi Awards, and this year we presented our 100th Gold Award. The quality and number of the entries grows every year, and this year it was an especially tough job to pick our winners. Only very good operators made the short list, so we can be sure our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are among the very best in Britain.”
The European Week for Sustainable Development, enabled Chabé to strengthen its awareness-raising actions among its employees on sustainable development but also on the Group’s responsible commitments.
In fact, since 2019, Chabé has taken a voluntary approach to CSR and continues to implement committed and responsible actions. CSR has become a pillar of Chabé’s strategy, which aims to be a committed and responsible player.
This commitment is now represented by a raison d’être:
This raison d’être allows the Group to inscribe in the company’s purpose a long-term commitment to a responsible future. And to guarantee the continuity of this approach, the raison d’être is included in the preamble to the company’s articles of association.
It refers to the way in which Chabé intends to play a role in society beyond its sole economic activity. It also defines a line of conduct for the most important decisions, in order to give concrete expression to the interests of the Group, of society and of social and environmental considerations.
This raison d’être has been developed with Chabé’s employees and shareholders in order to share the Group’s vision and role in our society.
It is also inspired by all past and present brand elements, as well as Chabé’s CSR approach.
For three weeks, Chabé is participating in the global event, the European Week for Sustainable Development, which aims to raise awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. The aim is to organise concrete actions related to these goals for all and for the good of all.
The theme of the 2022 edition of the international event is “Acting Everyday“, a theme that makes sense for Chabé and corresponds to its CSR approach.
“As we strive to operate an environmentally-friendly and ethical business, CSR is a significant part of Chabé’s business strategy.” explains Guillaume Connan, President of the Group. “To succeed, whether for major projects or our everyday activities, CSR needs to be thoroughly integrated into our operations and involve all our stakeholders, starting with Chabé’s employees.” add Guillaume Connan.
Our commitment goes beyond operating low and soon zero emission vehicles. It includes changing the way we operate and adopting best practices to reduce our overall footprint.
It also is about treating employees well, with sustainable and fairly paid jobs and ensuring clients’ safety and overall satisfaction.
MORE INFORMATION ON CHABÉ’S CSR COMMITMENT
Throughout the year, Chabé involves its employees in awareness-raising activities on various subjects such as global warming, carbon footprint, recycling, etc. In addition, the Group organises various workshops on well-being at work with external speakers.
During the SEDD event, Chabé is mobilising its employees for sustainable development by offering them a challenge every three days for three weeks.
Through this action, the Group wishes to raise awareness of the importance of the environment and of acting for the planet.
The communications sent out include a variety of challenges that are perfectly feasible and correspond to a theme of the objectives related to sustainable development, for example
All of these communications are accompanied by advice on how to work better within the company and anecdotes with hard-hitting figures that allow us to take into consideration what is happening in our society today.
It is important to take action on a daily basis for the good of the planet and this is exactly what Chabé wanted to convey by setting up small challenges, which will be implemented in the medium/long term in a sustainable manner.
All this confirms Chabé’s position as a responsible employer.
For more information, please read the CSR report
From 18 September to 8 October 2022, the European Sustainable Development Week is back, providing an opportunity for the Group to review its latest committed and responsible actions.
It should be remembered that since 2019, Chabé has initiated strong CSR initiatives, important and innovative in the passenger transport sector.
“Ambitiously and proactively moving forward in this direction will give us a significant advantage over our competitors and will set us apart.” explains Guillaume Connan.
“We even hope to create a ripple effect for other companies, particularly our competitors and trade associations, who have not yet adopted this approach. Being a leader in our field means that we can hopefully achieve this, so that our CSR initiative has the greatest possible impact, even beyond Chabé.” underlines the president of Chabé.
The Group’s CSR policy was confirmed with the arrival of Flora Chaise as CSR Manager in September 2021.
The creation of this new post allows Chabé to ensure the development and sustainability of its approach by following its main objective, make CSR an integral part of its daily operations throughout the entire organisation.
To have the greatest possible impact in the shortest time frame, prioritising our actions is essential with three main commitments:
These commitments are based on 9 of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) defined by the UN:
As a transport operator, Chabé has a great responsibility in terms of CO2 emissions from its vehicle fleet.
The transport sector represents one third of national Greenhouse Gas emissions in France, so it’s essential to rethinking our mobility and make it one of the major challenges our business faces.
This new sustainable mobility is possible with an activity that is part of the circular economy, but also a transition to low-carbon emission vehicles and eco-driving training for chauffeurs.
While all these measures enable the Group to reduce our overall environmental impact, our business continues to emit GHGs and therefore, pollute., which is why, since 2020, Chabé has been contributing to carbon neutrality, in particular through its partnership with the Goodplanet Foundation.
In 2021, for the first time, Chabé conducted a complete carbon footprint assessment of its operations for 2020 and 2021. The aim of this exercise was to better understand the consequences of our business and to define an action plan to prioritise the areas that have the greatest impact. This has also allowed monitoring the progress of actions and the results over time.
The carbon footprint is the first step in establishing an environmental management system. The Groupe now monitor its water, energy and waste consumption and its annual greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to these actions, Chabé has put in place measures for more responsible purchases and digital technology.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE Environmental Protection
In April 2021, the Marketing Division introduced a satisfaction questionnaire sent to customers after they had received a bespoke service.
The aim of the questionnaire was to measure the satisfaction of our customers and passengers,
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE customer satisfaction
Chabé’s quality of service and success relies on its employees, which is why our role as a responsible employer is an essential part of our CSR policy. The HR Charter outlines our policy, based on six core values: Integrity, respect, fairness, employability, trust, and health & safety.
Sustainable employment, health & safety, training and diversity and inclusion are among the main focuses of the Group’s Human Resources policy.
More information about Chabé’s role as a responsible employer
Since September 2022, Chabé offers its clients a new luxury vehicle, the latest Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Singularity, comfort and elegance sare the three strong points of the latest luxury SUV and it joins the Chabé prestige fleet.
The Group can now offer its customers a vehicle with only 2 seats, in order to provide a unique driving comfort.
Indeed, the rear of the vehicle offers incomparable comfort to passengers with its two seats, to guarantee optimal space with, in particular, the possibility of reclining them in a sleeper position, worthy of a “business class” transport.
The two rear seats are heated and have a particularly wide leg rest as well as a tablet, so that you can continue to work with your computer or tablet if necessary, especially during roadshows or business trips with a private chauffeur.
Of course, in this luxurious ambience, passengers will be able to control the brightness with electric sun blinds.
Now, clients wishing to travel for both short and long journeys can enjoy this new premium SUV sedan.
Simon Numphud and David Bruce
David Bruce, Director of the London office was the guest on the first Professional Driver podcast, alongside Simon Numphud FIH Managing Director of The AA Media, with Mark Bursa, Editor of Pro Driver Media Ltd.
Hear about Chabé’s history, its partnership with AA Hotel and Hospitality Services and how it provides services for luxury hotels in London.
Chabé is an increasingly key player in the field of event transport.
In the last two months, our teams of experts dedicated to the management of Chabé’s event transportation have handled a dozen major events in 8 countries (France, United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco, Monaco, Switzerland), particularly in the field of sports and luxury.
Chabé’s expertise in event transport has been proven more than once, particularly during events in France in the field of sport, luxury and institutional events, but its know-how has also crossed borders, testing out the composure and team spirit of our teams.
For each event, a project team, consisting of a project manager, experienced plan-ners, dispatchers and coordinators, deploys its know-how to manage the transport of events that are often out of the ordinary and can involve up to 300 chauffeurs.
Prior to the events and for each client, a team of experts is dedicated to managing the transport of events.
After an analysis of needs, location scouting is carried out in order to propose the best itinerary between the departure and arrival of the passengers.
On site, the teams recruit, select, train, supervise and coordinate, in complete dis-cretion, to ensure that the transport experience matches the events imagined by our clients.
In addition, a team is dedicated to the IT and admin support for the event, available 24/7.
Whether it is an event with just a few cars or a large-scale event, everything is de-signed and deployed so that the transport is integrated as naturally as possible into what comes before or after.
For a unique experience at Paris airports, Chabé offers access to private lounge 200 at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and lounge 500 at Orly. Offer your VIPs private access to the official Paris airport lounges for a privileged arrival and departure, in all discretion.
AT DEPARTURE
ON ARRIVAL
Chabé is proving to be a partner of choice for major events.
In recent weeks, two major international sporting events have taken place in Paris, attracting nearly 693,000 visitors.
Thanks to its impeccable organisation and expertise, Chabé was able to redouble its efforts to ensure the transport of its VIP clients.
OVERVIEW OF THE EVENTS IN FIGURES:
4 months of organisation to prepare exceptional events
35 days of operation, 7 days a week
535 chauffeurs aged from 22 to 78 years old
180 partner vehicles for the event, including 112 electric vehicles i. e. more than 62% of the fleet
A fleet of 50 charging stations
10 ground coordinators
A dedicated team of 129 people to ensure the overall coordination of the projects
Nearly 3,700 chauffeur shifts
24,359 transfers in total, i.e. about 3,000 more than in 2021, with a peak of more than 1,650 transfers in one day for one of the events entrusted to Chabé for several years.
Chabé has once again risen to the challenge while offering a transport experience that meets the expectations of its customers and its values.
Indeed, one of the Group’s four values, “Nothing is impossible for Chabé“, was illustrated by the coordination of a new sports event initially planned abroad and organised only a few weeks beforehand in Paris. Chabé was able to find the human and material resources to manage the event in a masterly manner.
At the same time, the family business was able to respond to a sporting event with more than 22,000 transfers thanks to the composure of the teams but also to the team spirit, “One for all, all for one“.
These two international sporting events in Paris confirmed Chabé’s skills as an expert in bespoke mobility and to be ready for the next two years, which will be rich in sensations in terms of major international sports events…
Almost two years ago the French luxury chauffeur business Chabé opened an operation in London. It was a bold move, launching a new operation in the middle of a global pandemic, however it was the perfect timing to hire a team of over 20 experienced professionals ready for when the market returned.
The London operation had to differentiate itself from other mobility and ground transportation providers, not least because the brand was relatively unknown in the UK. The longstanding credentials of the business together with its history as a Parisian luxury brand were perfect differentiators to serve the top end of the London market.
“Bringing the expertise and know-how of Chabé was an important success factor to the Operation in London. The professional reputation and history of this 100-year-old family business, allows us to differentiate ourselves in a very competitive market.
The branding of Chabé is unlike anything in the UK chauffeur market, it is elegant, Parisian and sophisticated and perfectly positions us to serve the top end of the market” emphasises David Bruce, Director of the Chabé London office.
So how to create a Parisian brand image in the London market?
The family business has been in existence for over 100 years and has constantly developed its proposition to advance the customer experience and service.
The Chabé proposition seeks to seamlessly integrate all elements of a luxury client experience with elegance, finesse and discretion and without fanfare.
Our visual image seeks to portray elegance and discretion whilst illustrating its expertise and the customer experience.
“With our growth ambitions, we wanted to break away from how ground transportation has been functionally portrayed, moreover embracing codes of luxury and promoting a more subjective, experiential universe” explains Leslie Moica, Sales & Marketing Director.
“With these newly commissioned beautiful images, rather than illustrating a functional output, we wanted to embrace the experience of the client who, discovers a city, sees its monuments, feels the sun, the light…in a luxurious environment. These sensory and poetic images promoted in black and white further enhance the elegance of Chabé.”
The Group’s communication team recently visited London to develop new images to reinforce the luxury Parisian offering now serving one of the largest markets in the world.
We hope you enjoy the images taken in London as much as we enjoyed creating them.
From 7 to 10 April, the modern and contemporary art fair Art Paris Art Fair returned to the Grand Palais Éphémère for its 24th edition, dedicated to nature and the environment.
For the sixth consecutive year, Chabé ensured transportation for organizers and VIPS throughout the event.
The event welcomed 137,371 unique visitors and 707 journalists (including 635 French and 72 from abroad) and highlighted 123 modern and contemporary art galleries from 23 countries, with galleries of authors coming mainly from Europe and other countries.
This year, Art Paris was committed to the environment and biodiversity by promoting eco-responsibility, a first in the art fair world. For the occasion, Chabé proposed a 100% electric transport with 4 EQV.
This action not only makes it possible to combine the Art Paris 2022 approach with Chabé’s vision of the Group’s commitment to the environment, thus establishing itself on the market as a responsible player in the transport sector.
The company is concerned with offering its customers an unrivalled quality of service, through a dedicated team for the event and through its 100% electric fleet. Chabé is well and truly committed to its voluntary and ambitious approach to CSR.
For several months now, events have been taking place gradually, especially in the south of the country, and more particularly in Toulouse.
Present in Toulouse for more than 17 years, the Chabé office in Toulouse ensures the travel of the most influential Toulousians, notably with the dedicated chauffeur service, but also of the clients of the Palaces and 4-star hotels.
In the last few months, the office has noted a positive evolution in the event business, especially with several missions that it has been able to realize for different clients such as :
ASTERX 2022 SPACE OPERATIONS
In March, for three days, Chabé provided 30 vehicles with private chauffeurs for the travel of several Ministers and European delegations, including the French Minister of the Armed Forces.
This event was successfully completed with the help of the Bordeaux office.
Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Toulouse and Montauban AttacksOn 4 March in Toulouse, the 10th anniversary of the Toulouse and Montauban bombings was commemorated in the presence of President Macron.
This was an extremely high security event, where the Toulouse office provided transport for political figures on behalf of an embassy, with a security service reputed to be among the most demanding in the world.
PFUE 2022 – Conference on “Linguistic diversity and the French language in the European Union” in PauOn 15 March, the conference on linguistic diversity within the European Union was held in Pau (2 hours from Toulouse) with more than 30 vehicles with private drivers throughout the day to ensure the movement of representatives of EU Member States and European institutions, civil society leaders and actors of the French-speaking world.
A fine example of the Toulouse office’s ability to manage large-scale events, especially with a complementary security service.
In the past like today, Chabé’s expertise comes first and foremost from the professional attitude of its chauffeurs and support teams. The personal and professional qualities that forged Chabé’s reputation in its early years are clearly still in evidence today for over 100 years.
We are taking advantage of International Women’s Day to introduce you to some of our women employees around Agnès Lo Jacomo, granddaughter of the founder Maurice Chabé and President of the Group’s Strategic Committee.
Find out more about Chabé’s expertise
discover the century-old history of Chabé
Read the interview with Frédérike Dupont-Pauchet, HR Director of Chabé
On the occasion of the 24th edition of Art Paris and its strong commitment to the environment, Chabé will offer participants a 100% electric transport
As a partner of Art Paris for over six years, Chabé has taken a voluntary and ambitious approach to CSR and, through this partnership, is asserting itself as a responsible player in the transport sector. The transition of its fleet to low-emission vehicles is one of the major axes of its approach.
Founded in 1921 by Maurice Chabé, the family business has seen 4 successive generations with the same ambition: with the same aim of providing a high-quality service for influential clients.
His great-grandson and current CEO, Guillaume Connan has inherited a culture of personal service with a high level of quality, but he adds, “When you’re 100 years old, you look back, but you also look to the future!”
Such longevity can be explained by a permanent questioning of the evolution of services according to the needs of the customers.
“We are observing that more and more customers want to travel by environmentally friendly transport“, adds Guillaume Connan.
To meet this growing demand, the Group was one of the very first French companies to receive the EQV (100% electric Mercedes-Benz van). “We have a very strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) because we are a sustainable luxury brand” says Guillaume Connan.
The family business is conscious that the biggest positive impact on the environment can be achieved with the transition of its fleet of vehicles to less polluting models as they become available on the market.
In addition to the EQVs, the Group received the first plug-in hybrid S Class at the end of 2021 and is committed to renewing the entire S-Class fleet by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
Finally, the company will integrate the new Mercedes EQE, 100% electric sedans, as soon as they become available.
On this day, green vehicles (electric and hybrid) represent 27% of Chabé’s fleet. The three models being electrified by 2022 represent more than 50% of the current fleet.
Aware of the necessity to act as of now, Chabé has decided to offset all the carbon emission linked to its transportation services while waiting for the transition to be completed. Data collection has started since October 2020, thanks to the fleet management tool: Masternaut.
A partnership was signed early 2021 with the GoodPlanet Foundation – a recognised public interest foundation aiming to encourage people to take concrete action for the Earth and its inhabitants – to offset its emissions.
Chabé’s commitment goes beyond operating low and soon zero emission vehicles. It includes changing the way we operate and adopting best practices to reduce our overall footprint.
It also is about treating employees well, with sustainable and fairly paid jobs and ensuring clients’ safety and overall satisfaction.
Because a company cannot simply grow without considering the consequences of its acts in the society, it must reinvent itself. The CSR approach leads Chabé to question itself about its activities, its acts, and aims at developing a progressive strategy for its associates, its suppliers, and the environment of the society that surrounds it.
“I believe CSR in not a constraint, but rather an opportunity” conclude Guillaume Connan.
In recent weeks, the world has finally reopened its borders to foreign travelers, an event that is particularly eagerly awaited by business travelers, who are keen to meet their clients and prospects again. At the end of last year, OpinionWay and Corporate Mobilities published the results of the fourth wave of the Business Travel Observatory in France and abroad, carried out for AXA Partners, Les Entreprises du Voyage and the ACCOR Group. This study already gave the business tourism industry a glimpse of an optimistic future. But if travelers are determined to get back on the road, new expectations are emerging, particularly in terms of security and responsibility.
While waiting for international borders to reopen and travel to resume, Chabé has continued to develop its international network with audited and trusted partners in 100 countries, in order to accompany its clients with the same level of service and in compliance with health regulations, each time.
See the list of countries served by Chabé
“Despite the context, and thanks to our teams mobilised 24/7, we were already able to serve our customers in nearly 40 countries around the world last year. Whether for one-off requests or for events involving up to 300 vehicles, we always pay the same attention to the safety of our passengers and the quality of our services,” explains Nivin Salem, the Group’s international Operations Director. “Thanks to the links we have forged with our partners, we are more than ever ready to accompany our customers as they resume their trips and to continue to offer new destinations according to their needs.”
In 2011, Chabé opened a new office in Bordeaux, a city famous the world over for its heritage and wine.
For over 10 years now, Laurent Frenkel has been managing the city’s agency and offering our clients bespoke services.
This interview tells you more about one of Chabé’s French offices and the Bordeaux region.
As we start a new year, how would you sum up the previous year for the Bordeaux office?
Like all regions that are visited by overseas clients, we have been impacted by the absence of tourists. Nevertheless, and thanks to the implementation of a very strict sanitary protocol which is very reassuring for our passengers, we were able to meet the demand of our clients in the region and from across the border.
We are fortunate to have a diversified clientele, which has enabled us to maintain our activity.
Towards the end of the year, particularly in September and October, we noticed a clear increase in activity, which gave us confidence for the coming year.
What are the office’s plans for 2022?
We have been able to take advantage of the drop in activity to carry out in-depth work on our services and our commitments.
First of all, we have reviewed our sanitary standards with new hygiene measures, which continue to be implemented by our teams and chauffeurs.
Secondly, we want to become a responsible player in the region, with a progressive replacement of our fleet by electric and/or equivalent hybrid vehicles. Chabé has taken a voluntary approach to CSR at Group level, and it is important for this commitment to be reflected at local level.
And of course, we will continue to serve our customers with the same level of quality and high standards.
What services do you offer in Bordeaux?
Our office provides a full range of bespoke transport services with chauffeurs.
First of all, we offer a transfer service from/to the train stations and airports in and around Bordeaux, as well as a dedicated chauffeur service.
We also provide event transport services, which means that we handle transport at events with a team of dedicated coordinators. This service is very important because the Bordeaux area hosts a lot of seminars, professional exhibitions, etc.
And we also organize Wine Tours with a whole range of bespoke tour services for our VIP clients.
What is special about your wine tours?
Thanks to our presence in Bordeaux for more than 10 years and our national presence, we have succeeded in building a relationship of trust with various players, such as 4-star hotels and Palaces, event agencies and also the main players in the wine world. These relationships mean we can offer our clients bespoke services involving the most prestigious châteaux but also wine estates where private families have owned châteaux for centuries.
Our tours are exclusively private, and our clients are pampered and privileged at every stage of their journey.
And finally, what makes our greatest difference and which is our core business, is transport with a chauffeur.
The expertise of Chabé’s chauffeurs is inextricably linked to their interpersonal skills. These skills are equally important to the company. As chauffeurs by vocation, they are committed to offering the best possible experience on each journey. Moreover, our professional chauffeurs have a great knowledge of our region and of the Bordeaux vineyards.
This service can be complemented by a professional tour guide, who is bilingual in French and English, and also fluent in another language.
In your opinion, what makes Chabé Bordeaux different from other private transport companies in the city?
I think the main difference is the quality of our services.
For more than 100 years, Chabé has been led by the family of the founder, Maurice Chabé, a family with the constant aim of providing a high-quality service for influential clients.
Quality has always been part of our DNA, with a service meeting our customers’ expectations.
We also have several offices in France and abroad, allowing us to build a relationship of trust with partners who have the same level of quality as Chabé. So we can serve our customers in France and in over 100 countries around the world.
For example, we can pick up a client from his home, take him to Bordeaux airport and welcome him in another French or foreign city, managing his transport throughout his business or tourist trip.
Whatever the service or destination, the client will always have the same contact person, available and responsive 24 hours a day, which is much appreciated by our clients.
We are able to adapt to the customer’s needs by offering a bespoke service.
Finally, our chauffeurs, who are at the heart of our business, receive ongoing training, are familiar with the codes of luxury and know how to adapt to each type of customer.
Who is this special clientele you call VIP?
Our clientele is very varied, we can serve a company director, as well as a celebrity, wealthy tourists or diplomats… Whatever the type of client, our requirements remain the same.
In Bordeaux, we have a very important clientele in the tourism industry, eager to discover the world of Bordeaux wine.
We also work in the events sector, which is developing more and more, especially since the opening of the new stadium and the Arkéa Arena. Thanks to exclusive partnerships, this has allowed us to expand our activity in the artistic sector by providing transport for artists and technical teams.
We should not forget either that in the area we have important industrial centres, such as aeronautics and space. The companies there have major international contracts which create considerable daily flows and major events that Chabé is regularly asked to take part in.
We also work with several prestigious hotels in and around Bordeaux. We are their partners, and they trust us completely to transport their clients and to develop tour programs.
To conclude this interview, can you share with us some of your favourite places in Bordeaux or the surrounding area?
I would of course mention the village of Saint-Émilion, a medieval village which is a real pearl, and paradoxically the city of Bordeaux, which is often misunderstood but which is really worth a visit. To lose oneself in the pedestrian streets and to enjoy this very particular atmosphere is a journey in itself.
I would also especially mention Dordogne with its magnificent landscapes and magical medieval villages. But alongside these places which are a source of daily excitement to me, I would mention the encounters I’ve made.
I mean the women and men, the chateau owners, cellar masters or restaurant owners who share their passion with us and allow us to truly sense the soul of this region.
Launch of the first events of the year with Fashion Week for Men and Haute Couture in Paris.
From Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 January, Fashion Week for Men was held in Paris, followed by Haute Couture until Thursday 27 January.
From the Rodin Museum to the Place de la Concorde and the Carreau du Temple, Chabé deployed more than 210 vehicles with chauffeurs over the week to transport VIPs, journalists and employees of the leading luxury brands.
Prior to Fashion Week and for each client, a team of experts is dedicated to managing the transport of events.
After an analysis of the needs, a scouting of the location is organized in order to propose the best itinerary between the departure and arrival of the passengers.
During the event, one or more coordinators are assigned to a specific event (fashion show, dinner, photo shoot, etc.).
At the headquarters, a back-office agent is dedicated to IT and admin support for the event and a team, available 24/7, ensures the follow-up of the vehicles in real time.
After the event, a debriefing meeting is organized with our clients and prepare the next Fashion Week in Paris but also internationally.
The next Paris Feminine Fashion Week will take place from the end of February to the 8th of March.
OpinionWay and Corporate Mobilities have published the results of the fourth wave of the Business Travel Observatory in France and abroad carried out for AXA Partners, Les Entreprises du Voyage and the ACCOR Group. This study suggests that the business tourism sector, which was hit by the health crisis, is in for an optimistic future.
Unveiled on 14 December 2021, the research confirms a recovery in the domestic and European market.¹
Nearly two years after the appearance of Covid and almost a year after the first vaccinations, the recovery observed in June 2021 in domestic and European travel is confirmed, with priority given to client or prospect meetings, in contrast to trade fairs, incentives or intra-company meetings, which will not benefit from the same positive trend.
However, travelers expect suppliers (accommodation, catering and transport) to comply with health regulations and to provide eco-responsible services.²
“Tomorrow’s business travel will have to be considered in the light of new forms of work organisation, the continuing importance of health issues, profitability and productivity, but also, and to a lesser extent, the environmental impact of travel” explains the Observatory.
Chabé took advantage of the health crisis to review its hygiene and safety requirements with the introduction of new provisions such as:
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PREVENTIVE HYGIENE MEASURES PLACED BY CHABÉ
But also by offering its customers and passengers more responsible services through:
This reflects Chabé’s voluntary commitment to CSR.
For your next trip or business journey, do not hesitate to contact us for a responsible and bespoke service.
¹ “To date, only 33% of companies have totally or partially banned travel within France (vs. 69% on average during the first three waves), and 54% are doing the same for international travel (vs. 85% on average during the first three waves).
² “Finally, 72% of firms believe that the pandemic will lead to lists of suppliers being drawn up to guarantee travel respecting health regulations but also eco-responsible travel (73%).”
With an agency in Courchevel and Megeve, Chabé covers the Alps Mountain range to be able to accompany you throughout your ski holiday.
Our offices are at your disposal to organise your winter stay in the mountains with a car and a private chauffeur to reach the ski slopes comfortably. Take advantage of our services such as :
Before your departure, you will have communicated your flight/train number to us so a chauffeur will be waiting for you 15 minutes before. Holding a tablet displaying the name of the passenger and a code defined beforehand, the chauffeur is immediately identifiable.
At the airport, the chauffeur will be waiting for the passenger after luggage collection, at train stations, he will generally be waiting at the end of the platform.
You have the possibility to liven up this service with a VIP welcome.
Discover the VIP welcome, airports and stations
This service is available from the stations of Chambéry, Moutiers, Bourg St-Maurice and the airports of Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon, Grenoble and Annecy to :
If you wish to benefit from the transfer service from another station or airport, please contact us.
Our offices are able to offer you an “après ski” transfer service for travelling between ski resorts. Our chauffeurs can take you wherever you would like to go in Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, etc.
If you wish to travel by your own means, we can offer you luxury rental vehicles adapted to the mountain roads: Mercedes GLK, Porsche Cayenne, etc.
Our teams are at your disposal to help you organise your stay and remain at your side during these days. Do not hesitate to contact us.
The 20th ILTM Cannes event was celebrated by over a thousand luxury travel suppliers across 73 countries from December 6-9, 2021.
All the players in international luxury tourism met up once again in Cannes in early December. Hotels and Palaces, travel agents, concierge services and DMCs (Destination Management Companies) came from all over the world to discuss the changes in the sector, to seal new partnerships and to create new and unusual experiences for the most seasoned travelers.
Alongside Atout France, Guillaume Connan, President of Chabé, Leslie Moica, Sales and Marketing Director, and Nivin Salem, Director of International Operations, met with over 40 tourism players. Our proposal? A single point of contact with a multilingual team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to manage all their customers’ mobility needs, with the same high quality of service in 100 countries.
Leslie Moica looks back on the exhibition: « For over 10 years now, Chabé has been participating in the ILTM in Cannes, renowned for bringing together the most important players in international luxury tourism. The quality of the meetings means we can raise the standards we set for our sector a little more each year; it is a real incubator of ever more innovative experiences for responsible luxury tourism. »
Atout France stand at ILTM, with the Chabé stand on the right. © Atout France
About ILTM:
ILTM is a global collection of invitation-only events that brings together leading international buyers to meet and discover the most luxurious travel experiences. Each event introduces an unrivalled selection of luxury travel brands to ILTM’s extensive network of hand-picked luxury travel advisors, through bespoke appointment programmes and networking sessions. Alongside the global flagship events in Cannes and Asia Pacific, ILTM has three core local events: ILTM Arabia, ILTM Latin America and ILTM North America.
Chabé wins Gold QSi Award in the UK’s only national awards for the private hire, taxi and chauffeur sector
London-based company takes Gold in the New-Start Operator category
A night to remember for Britain’s chauffeur and private hire industry
London-based Chabé has won the Gold Award in the New-Start Operator category of the prestigious Professional Driver QSi Awards. The New-Start Operator Award aims to reward private hire, taxi and chauffeur businesses that have only recently become established in the market. Chabé launched its UK operation in 2020, during the Covid pandemic.
David Bruce, UK CEO said: “I am delighted the Chabé team achieved the Gold QSI Award for New-Start Operator. To achieve such industry recognition, in a relatively short period of time, is an amazing testament to all the hard work and passion the team have put into starting the business. Here is to 2022 and building the business with an incredible team of people.”
Professional Driver Editor Mark Bursa added: “With a vastly experienced team and strong backing, Chabé has been a textbook case study in how to do everything right. With a growing fleet of luxury cars and a growing reputation for quality, the company is a thoroughly well-deserved Gold winner.”
Professional Driver magazine’s QSi Awards ceremony was a night to remember for the cream of Britain’s chauffeur and private hire operators. The awards, open to every chauffeur and private hire company in the UK, are designed to recognise operators and individuals that demonstrate excellent standards of Quality, Service and Innovation.
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in 10 categories at an event, held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales.
The 10 categories mean there’s something for every size and type of operator, from one-man bands to large fleets. Categories also reward innovations in marketing, environmental performance and local community activities, while a special award – Professional Driver of the Year – singles out a chauffeur or private hire driver who is judged to be the best in the UK.
Mark Bursa said: “The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry has made an enormous contribution to keeping Britain moving throughout the Covid pandemic, delivering food and medicines, transporting key workers and helping the elderly and vulnerable get to vaccination centres.”
“This year’s Professional Driver QSi Awards recognise those amazing efforts and bring the industry together for a much-needed night of celebration.”
Mark Bursa continued: “We were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries, and it was a very tough job to pick our winners. Only very good operators made the short list, so we can be sure our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are among the very best in Britain.”
From left to right:
Top row, Matthew Hensby, Frank Barnett John Davies, Lee Rozario, Maurice Holman, Daniel Stener
Bottom row, Jaymee Rhodes, David Bruce, Nivin Salem, Julia Roberts
Professional Driver magazine is the national publication for the UK’s chauffeur, private hire and taxi industry. The QSi Awards were launched in 2013 as the first and only national awards for the industry. For more details, visit www.prodrivermags.com
For more details, please contact:
Mark Bursa, Editor, Professional Driver
0781 3320044
markbursa@prodrivermags.com
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
After twenty months of closure of the US borders due to COVID-19, the United States announced at the end of September that it would be reopening on 8 November.
After the long-awaited resumption of events in France, the gradual return to normal is confirmed with the forthcoming opening of the American borders to tourists and business travelers from all over the world.
Chabé is ready to accompany tourists and business travelers from all over the world for all their travel needs during their authorized stay in the United States. We offer a bespoke mobility service on an international scale, guaranteeing an outstanding passenger experience at all times, anywhere in the world.
Through our network of audited and trusted US partners, we offer the same level of quality in the US as in the countries where Chabé uses its own resources (France, UK, Switzerland and Monaco).
Whether it is a transfer service, roadshow or event we provide the highest quality of service. With extensive experience in delivering international service, we have in depth knowledge of United States and understand what it takes to deliver a consistent high standard of service with the necessary Duty of Care that is paramount.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
Entry to the US will be permitted in early November subject to the following conditions.
Anyone wishing to travel to the USA must
In addition, airlines will have to collect the contact details of their passengers so that they can be contacted if anyone on the flight is declared positive for COVID.
The list of recognized vaccines allowing travelers to enter the country has not been fully disclosed. However, people immunized with the vaccines identified by the US drug agency, the FDA, i.e. those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson, are already authorised to enter the United States from November. According to Thierry Breton, who is in charge of coordinating the European Union’s supply of Covid vaccines, Europeans vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s serum should be able to come to the United States in November, even though the vaccine is not recognised by the US Food and Drug Administration.
After long months of waiting and an uncertain recovery in June, the events calendar is finally filling up: Fashion Week, congresses, exhibitions, diplomatic and sporting events… the Chabé teams are back in the field to contribute to the success of the extraordinary events organized by our clients.
The recovery began with Men’s Fashion Week in June 2021, although only 5 of the 72 Luxury Houses presented their Spring/Summer 2022 collections in a physical show. *
Despite the lack of face-to-face events, Chabé accompanied its clients with a fleet of more than 150 chauffeur-driven vehicles.
At the same time, the Group took part in the successful organization of the Generation Equality Forum with over 50 vehicles and chauffeurs for airport transfers and event transportation.
At the end of the summer, in the Sarthe department, Chabé provided transport for the VIPs of a major Swiss luxury company during the 24 hours of Le Mans race.
At the beginning of September, Chabé was at two events, in Marseille and in Paris.
From 3 to 11 September, at the Palais des Congrès de Marseille Chanot, the first major event dedicated to the environment since the beginning of the pandemic was held in a hybrid format. Chabé provided transport in 100% electric vehicles with a team of chauffeurs, 60% of whom were women.
Then from September 9 to 12, the Grand Palais Ephémère hosted the first modern and contemporary art fair, the Art Paris Art Fair. As an official partner, we provided transport for the organizers and VIPs throughout the event.
The end of September saw the start of the medical congresses at the Palais des Congrès in Paris with several transfers to and from airports and train stations.
Chabé also participated in the Business Travel Show in London as an exhibitor. This was an opportunity for the teams in London and in Paris to renew contacts with the tourism industry.
The long-awaited recovery is now confirmed with the ready-to-wear Fashion Week.
After the New York, London and Milan Fashion Weeks, the show is now back in Paris, with around 30 in-person shows. The women’s ready-to-wear week, which runs from 27 September to 5 October, “looks good“, Pascal Morand, Executive President of the Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion, told AFP. “All the big houses are there with a few exceptions, there are new brands, we can sense an appetite for the physical, for the show“, after months of health crisis and lockdown. **
To date, 97 fashion houses are returning to the catwalk for their new spring/summer 2022 collections.
From the Opéra Garnier to the Tuileries, from the Grand Palais Ephémère to the Carrousel du Louvre, Chabé deployed 250 cars with chauffeurs over the week to transport VIPs, journalists and employees of the leading luxury houses.
*Source France Info Culture
**Source Le Point
After a Master’s degree in Tourism Management and an experience in the hotel industry, Flora Chaise turned to sustainable development with a Master’s degree in Management and Sustainable Development at ESI Business School.
Before joining Chabé, Flora was in charge of CSR in a car rental company.
This experience led to her joining the Group as CSR Manager on September 1st.
Without hesitation, I would say because of their ambition!
Today, Chabé has no CSR obligations, but there is a real desire on the part of management, embodied by Guillaume Connan, which convinced me of the position’s potential.
The automotive sector has a real impact on the environment, and Chabé wants to become a responsible player in the industry, hoping to have a positive knock-on effect on those who have not yet taken the plunge and to become a reference in the sector.
Creating a full-time CSR manager position in a medium-sized company is already a strong signal. For me, it’s a great challenge to have to meet high expectations on the subject – it is the main motivating factor.
Historically, Chabé was already committed to certain issues such as creating permanent jobs and the quality of its services.
In recent years, Chabé has shown a strong commitment to CSR. Last year, its commitment developed with CSR maturity assessment and the implementation of the first actions such as dematerialization and carbon compensation.
Of course, there are still projects to be carried out, but the impetus has already been created and will continue to evolve.
My role is to bring more structure and follow-up to Chabé’s CSR approach. First of all, we are going to carry out a carbon assessment to better understand Chabé’s major challenges, and establish an action plan based on the results obtained.
We also need to raise awareness among our various stakeholders (employees, chauffeurs, customers and passengers) on the subject, to fully embody this approach.
This will also be an opportunity to register with a general benchmark or an international certification body to highlight our results.
These new 100% electric vehicles have been a real breakthrough for the group. We want to move towards a fleet of low-carbon vehicles and have more than 50% electric vehicles in our fleet by 2022. This will obviously depend on the release of the models concerned, which must remain consistent with the quality level of our services.
It is true that Chabé has many upcoming projects, which is very motivational, and we already have very positive feedback from different stakeholders, which confirms our willingness to develop our commitment.
At the same time, I would like to work on long-term issues, such as diversity.
The chauffeur’s job is represented by men because historically the job was exclusively dedicated to them, as explained by Frédérike Dupont-Pauchet, HR Director, during an interview on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Before we can recruit more women, we need to do some real awareness-raising work with this group to encourage more women to join the chauffeur-driven vehicle profession.
One year ago, on the 1st of October 2020, Chabé opened its first office in the United Kingdom, in London. The Group takes the opportunity to look back on this year with an interview with David Bruce, UK Chief Executive Officer
It’s exactly a year since Chabé London started trading in London how has it gone ?The venture was a bold move.
Launching Chabé in London during a global pandemic, wasn’t an obvious thing to do. However with the benefit of hindsight, it was the perfect timing. We have used the time to hire an amazing team of over 20 experienced professionals. The team have implemented new technology, developed our pricing and market offering and have attracted some fantastic clients.
Our customer base now extends to over 60 clients across all of our niche verticals; Private equity and Financial services, Corporate Boards, Events and Luxury brands and Luxury Hotels. I’m exceptionally proud of the whole team’s progress in the past 12 months, and we have enabled the business ready to scale and September’s trading has surpassed expectations.
We are very differentiated and that has always been the case.
The business is 100 years old this year, and has prospered through delivering high touch, bespoke services to our clients. We are not a one size fits all platform serving the mass mobility market, we are a chauffeur business, which by its very definition, is tailored to each clients’ need. It is that level of focus on each individual client that is our difference. We are hugely relationship driven and our clients trust us to deliver their exact needs. This is very different to an increasingly homogenised app based market.
We have an ambitious business plan for London however never at the expense of quality.
Within 2 years I see London contributing significantly to Group Revenue and Profitability. As well as serving London itself, we will also act as the international hub for Chabé. I would like to see London and International making up over 25% of Group Revenue and margin fairly quickly. It’s a major strategic pillar of growth for the business.
In terms of product offering, I think by the end of 2023 the vast majority of operators in London will be running all electric fleets.
The client demand for low emission travel is accelerating. Today Chabé London are one of the earliest adopters of all electric vehicles in the market and we will continue to work with the OEMs to be the first to bring new technology to market.
We will also continue to digitise the business offering solutions to each of the niche markets we serve.
We already do that for luxury hotels and we are investing in digitising the customer experience in other verticals too.
In addition companies are going to need to demonstrate a strong CSR agenda. Our approach is already strong; we have an employed chauffeur model, a proactive approach to D&I, and are truly able to demonstrate environmental sustainability reporting – there is of course so much more we can do to make a difference. Our clients will demand it.
The market will increasingly diverge between apps providing a commodity based services, competing on price and response times, to truly differentiated high touch service providers with a deep understanding of their clients’ needs and providing bespoke chauffeuring solutions. Our future has always been in the latter.
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
Since its creation in 1921, Chabé has never stopped growing.
Here is a look at the group’s geographical expansion over the years.
It was only 56 years after its beginnings in Paris that Chabé, then known as Chabé Verjat, began its expansion with the opening of a first agency in Cannes in 1997.
The following year, a new office was opened in the City of Lights (Lyon). In 2005, Chabé decided to set up its third branch in the south-west, in Toulouse.
From 2011 onwards, Chabé’s geographical development accelerated with the opening of 6 new offices in France: Biarritz, Bordeaux and Marseille (2011), Courchevel (2012), Megève (2017) and Saint-Tropez (2020).
At the same time, the acquisition of a Swiss company in 2012 and the opening of an office in Monaco in 2019 marked the group’s international debut.
In 2020, the opening of a new office in London boosted Chabé’s presence in Europe and marked a new stage in its international development. Chabé is now present in 13 cities in Europe and offers its services in 100 countries.
For its 23rd edition, Art Paris took place at the Grand Palais Ephémère on the Champs-de-Mars (usually the event is held at the Grand Palais, currently under construction until 2024), from 9 to 12 September 2021.
It was the first Modern and Contemporary Art Fair to take up residence in this ephemeral location designed by Wilmotte & Associés Architectes and produced by the company GL events.
This major event for modern and contemporary art in Paris brought together more than 140 modern and contemporary art galleries from some twenty countries, mainly from Europe, but also from more distant shores such as Korea, Colombia, the Ivory Coast, Guatemala and Uruguay.
The event welcomed a total of 72,746 participants, an increase of more than 28% compared to the previous edition, including 29,023 visitors with professional and VIP invitations (+25% compared to 2020) and 500 accredited journalists.
For the 5th consecutive year, Chabé was one of the partners of Art Paris Art Fair. For this occasion, we ensured transportation for organizers and VIPS throughout the event.
We also invited our clients and prospects to a cocktail party on Friday 10 September, which allowed us to think about an encouraging future with a resumption of activity.
See you next year, from 7 to 11 April 2021 at the Grand Palais Ephémère.
For more information about the event: www.artparis.com/en
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
From an early age, Eliane Lo Jacomo was involved in managing the company, which became Etablissements Maurice Chabé in 1953. She took over as head of the firm in 1959.
Her arrival modernized Chabé’s image, with the first visual identity created for the family business in 1976.
In 1991, two years after the arrival of Agnès Lo Jacomo, the founder’s grand-daughter, the company bought the Verjat company and was renamed Chabé Ver-jat, leading to the Group creating its first logo in 1995.
Today, Chabé has decided to break away from the traditional codes of the private transport company to assert a strong identity, reflecting its ambitions for the mobility of tomorrow.
Launching a new London chauffeur business at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic was perhaps not the obvious thing to do. But that’s what French-owned Chabé did in late 2020.
Photo by: Professional Driver Magazine
Discover the interview of David Bruce, the UK Director and Daniel Stener, UK Operations Director about the launching of this new office in London during the pandemic with the Professional Driver Magazine
“On one hand, the timing couldn’t be worse, but it has allowed us to put systems, marketing and a fleet in place. You can’t do that so easily if you’re trading at 100mph. So we’re ready for when the market returns. ” says David Bruce.
The UK CEO, explains about Global Chauffeur who join forces with Chabé London and the combined business.
“We have had a strong reception in London since launching last year and joining with Global Chauffeur really accelerates the plan by bringing new relationships and operational experience to the business.”
So Chabé London underlines its ambition to serve the five star hotel market in London by joining forces with Global Chauffeur, and with a new partnership with AA Hotel and Hospitality Services.
Daniel Stener, ends the interview with detailed information on CSR, particularly in terms of the vehicle and the agency’s future.
LONDON: Global Chauffeur and Chabé Limited Join Forces To Better Serve The Luxury Hotel and Accommodation Market in London.
Global Chauffeur (the chauffeur division of Global Interconnextions Limited) and Chabé Limited have joined forces to create London’s leading chauffeur provider to five star properties in London.
Global Chauffeurs’ Amar Niang says “I am delighted to merge with Chabé. They are the stand out leader of chauffeur services to luxury properties in continental Europe and launched with an excellent team in London last year. They bring a wealth of experience and unique digital technology to serve the luxury hotels and improve the guest experience.”
Chabé Limited’s David Bruce says “We have had a strong reception in London since launching last year and joining with Global Chauffeur really accelerates the plan by bringing new relationships and operational experience to the business. We are really excited to bring our technology, low emissions fleet and financial strength to our combined customers.”
The combined business will be based at Stockley Park near Heathrow, led by Bruce and is effective 26th July 2021.
Contact : David Bruce – david.bruce@chabe.co.uk
Global Chauffeur is leading luxury provider of chauffeur services in London service luxury hotels, corporate clients, luxury service apartments and private families. Global Chauffeur has successfully built a leading chauffeur operation in London since 2014.
By offering a range of bespoke services, such as transfers, VIP meet and greet, bespoke transportation, as well as excursions and event transportation, the family business is committed to integrating the journey as naturally as possible in every client experience, anywhere, anytime.
Chabé, bespoke journeys since 1921
By offering a range of bespoke services, such as transfers, VIP meet and greet, bespoke transportation, as well as excursions and event transportation, Chabé is committed to integrating the journey as naturally as possible in every client experience, anywhere, anytime.
Chabé London is looking for a Global Client Service Advisor to join a fast growing team in London. These roles sit at the heart of our operation and are key to deliver our excellent client experiences. You will work in a dynamic, fast paced environment where you can make an immediate impact in the business. If you have a passion customers and for delivering exceptional service then apply without delay.
Job Title: Global Client Service Advisor
Times: 4 Days on 4 Days off pattern 4am – 4pm
Type: Permanent
Reports To: Operations Director and International Operations Director
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LONDON OFFICE
If interested, please contact a member of the team at partners@chabe.co.uk
Graphic patterns, a poetic and subtle photo universe, a rounded typography, blue-white-red colours… Every detail of our new visual identity has been carefully thought to fully reflect our purpose: To seamlessly integrate into the extraordinary experiences…
Intuitive search tools, online chat with our advisers, reminder system… We have paid particular attention to the user experience, in order to offer you a fluid navigation and bring you the solutions you need, as naturally as possible.
This work is the result of a collaboration with several communication experts including Julien Delatte from One thing at time, and Macha Kontchakova & Emma Brante from Frontline Studio.
“We were in the midst of a transformation, in a competitive landscape that was being profoundly redrawn since the arrival of platforms. In 2019, we were approaching 100 years of existence with international projects, key digital innovations and new offers for our clients. So many present and future transformations made it necessary to question the role of Chabé in order to accompany its growth and mark its difference. That’s why we asked Julien Delatte to advise us on how to make our brand even stronger for our clients, partners and employees“ explains Guillaume Connan, President of Chabé.
“My main mission was to support and facilitate the Group’s growth by optimising its brand narrative” Julien Delatte emphasises.
To ensure this, Julien’s work was divided into 4 steps, the first of which was to understand the business model, challenges and prospects. The second phase was the diagnosis and ideation, followed by the recommendation and finally the execution.
“For several weeks, I audited Chabé’s customers, management, administrative staff and chauffeurs, in order to create an accurate and coherent brand identity for the various players in the Group,” adds Julien.
“It was a very interesting job, because during the meetings, all the clients interviewed recognised the obvious leadership, high standards and interesting development prospects.
Internally, several values stood out, such as team spirit, unfailing composure, kindness and the resulting attention to detail…“
After this audit, Julien wanted to finalize his support with a working group bringing together various Chabé employees, such as the IT, Sales, Communication, HR, Chauffeur and Dispatch departments.
With the brand platform completed, the founder of One Thing at Time handed over the reins to two experts in luxury brand communication, Macha and Emma, who were responsible for developing the brand platform into a visual and graphic universe.
“We have worked with Julien on the redesign of the visual identity of several luxury brands. This new project for Chabé inspired us a lot: helping a historical brand to find its language and identity in an “uberized” world and giving it a touch of modernity and elegance, these are challenges that we like very much at Frontline studio“ underline Macha and Emma.
“With our growth ambitions, we wanted to show our difference by breaking away from the statutory codes of luxury for a more subjective universe. This in-depth work on our image was an opportunity for us to redesign our website and the perfect time to revamp our visual identity,” explains Leslie Moica, Sales & Marketing Director. “Our logo has evolved since Chabé was founded, so we wanted to give it a new lease of life while keeping the original logo created in 2003.”
“Regarding the photographs, rather than illustrating the chauffeur’s profession, we wanted to retranscribe the experience of the client who, comfortably installed in the back of a beautiful car, discovers a city, sees its monuments, feels the sun, the light… The sensory and poetic universe in black and white has taken place in the communication of Chabé”, explain Macha et Emma.
“In the continuity of this research, we reworked the graphic universe of the brand by taking our inspiration from the language of the Arts Deco, the era in which Chabé was born. From the brand’s logo, we developed geometric patterns that now adorn and enrich the website” add Macha et Emma.
“Chabé is a centenary French family business which wishes to develop internationally. We wanted to show our territory by recalling the colours of our country of origin: blue, white and red,” Leslie Moica emphasises.
Frontline Studio, led by Macha Konchakova and Emma Brante, then managed the redesign of the website with the help of Vanessa Banier, editor, Franck Juery, photographer and Benjamin Levaux, webmaster.
“We wanted to develop the customer experience so that they could quickly find what they were looking for, but also be accompanied throughout their visit, in particular by an online chat with experienced advisers and a telephone call-back system” says Leslie Moica.
“After several months of intense work, we are delighted with this new brand platform and the overhaul of our visual identity, which are in line with our values and the image we wish to convey. Chabé is a spry centenarian that is constantly evolving, and this renewal has done it a lot of good! ” concludes Guillaume Connan.
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
In 1947, Chabé signed its first contract with a prestigious client, the Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris, which has remained one of our most loyal clients ever since.
Our mission is not to transport a client from point A to point B, but rather to ensure that the hotel’s clients feel as if they have arrived at their destination the moment they get into their vehicle.
A guest’s first and last impression of a hotel begins and ends with the transport.
This is why Chabé works tirelessly to offer its hotel guests an outstanding transport experience to match the hotel’s prestige.
On this occasion, François Delahaye, General Manager of the Plaza Athénée Hotel, tells us more about the 75-year professional relationship between Chabé and the Plaza Athénée and luxury hotels’ expectations for their transport providers.
This centenary is also an opportunity to (re)discover the history of the hotel via their website.
The different offices in Chabé can organise tours throughout France, the Spanish Basque Country and Switzerland. Our tours enable you to discover remarkable sites in the comfort of a top-of-the-range car accompanied by a chauffeur who is passionate about his region and its heritage.
These bespoke tours can be designed to the client’s exact wishes and schedule.
Discover tours in France and Europe:
Book an adventure through the vineyards and discover the Arcachon Basin, Dordogne, La Rochelle and many more. Discover the region with a multilingual chauffeur, passionate about the natural and historic heritage of Aquitaine and taking care of your every need. Tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have.
Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Espelette, San Sebastián, the Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao as well as many more. Discover the most beautiful places in the Basque country with a multilingual chauffeur, taking care of your every need and passionate about the area’s heritage.
Tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have available. Discover local specialities when you visit small Basque producers selling their finest produce.
Discover Saint-Tropez, Grimaud, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and many more. Explore the most beautiful places on the French Riviera and its countryside with a multilingual chauffeur, passionate about the heritage of the area and taking care of your every need.
Tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have available.
Lyon, Lake Annecy, Côtes du Rhône, Beaujolais, Burgundy… Discover these exceptional places with a multilingual chauffeur, taking care of your every need and passionate about the natural and historic heritage of these areas.
The office’s tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have.
Explore Paris, Versailles, Giverny, the Loire Châteaux, the beaches of Normandy and many more. Discover these exceptional places with a multilingual chauffeur, taking care of your every need and passionate about the area’s heritage.
Tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have.
Explore Geneva and its surrounding lakes and vineyards, or Gruyère, Montreux, Saint-Moritz, Verbier, Lugano, Zurich, and the wine route. Discover these remarkable places with a multilingual chauffeur, taking care of your every need and passionate about Switzerland’s natural and historic heritage.
The agency’s tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have.
Discover the land of the Cathars, Lourdes, Albi, Gaillac, Corbières and much more. Explore Toulouse and the surrounding area with a multilingual chauffeur, taking care of your every need and passionate about the natural and historic heritage of the area.
Tours can be completely adapted to you and the time you have.
On the occasion of the Cannes Film Festival from 6 to 17 July 2021, Chabé and Azur Hélicoptère are partnering to offer you a festive transport experience.
From Nice, Monaco or Saint-Tropez, fly to the Cannes heliport where a chauffeur is waiting to accompany you to the festival.
Offer valid for 2 persons from €690 including VAT for a flight from Nice to Cannes on board an R44 helicopter, followed by a transfer in a Mercedes Maybach* or Range Rover Autobiography* with Champagne.
Do you need a chauffeur for the whole festival? Contact us for a personalised quote.
Ideally located on the Croisette, the Chabé Cannes office and its team offer you bespoke services throughout the year to accompany you on all your journeys on the French Riviera.
Discover our Saint-Tropez and Monaco offices.
For business or pleasure, save time travelling to France’s major regional happenings effortlessly. Or why not simply sit back and enjoy the most beautiful landscapes? Whatever your needs, let us prepare a tailor-made travel experience, just for you.
Historic Partners of the biggest cultural, summer, sporting and professional events on the Riviera for more than 20 years, Azur is the European leader in on-demand private flights and is recognized for its excellence in flight security by European Standards Authorities.
Discover Azur Hélicoptère : www.azurhelico.com
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
In 1929, Maurice Chabé witnessed the creation of the Clefs d’Or, the professional association of hotel concierges.
Chabé’s commitment has never stopped since.
On the occasion of Chabé’s 100th anniversary, Dimitri Ruiz, President of Les Clefs d’Or, tells us more about the professional association, but also about the Conci-erge profession and the relationship with Chabé for over 90 years.
This centenary is also an opportunity to (re)discover the history of the Clefs d’Or association:
“In 1929, Pierre Quentin, concierge at the Ambassador Hotel in Paris, decided to create an association of men working in the same profession: “Concierges d’Hôtels”, then called “Portiers des Grands Hôtels”.
The aim of this association was to unite the doormen of France in order to facilitate their relations and communication, but also to reflect on working techniques and to develop the profession. In France, the association took the name of Les Clefs d’Or France.
The Association experienced significant growth until the Second World War. After being dormant, it was revived after the liberation, under the impetus of Ferdinand Gillet, and developed throughout Europe.
In 1952 a European Union U.E P.G.H., grouping 9 sections, was created.
In 1970, with the admission of Israel as the 16th section, an international association was created: U.I.P.G.H., which was later renamed the International Union of Hotel Concierges (U.I.C.H), and now has 43 sections and more than 3,600 members throughout the world. Its growth continued from then on and many countries worked to join the association.
In 2009, the Association Les Clefs d’Or France celebrated its 80th anniversary. It now has nearly 400 members in France and over 4,000 members worldwide.”
To find out more, visit the association’s website: www.clefsdor-france.org/presentation
By offering a range of bespoke services, such as transfers, VIP meet and greet, bespoke transportation, as well as excursions and event transportation, the family business is committed to integrating the journey as naturally as possible in every client experience, anywhere, anytime.
Chabé, bespoke journeys since 1921.
As Chabé grow our client base and confidence returns to the market, Chabé London is looking to recruit excellent, experienced independent operators with a knowledge of Events and/or Roadshow services in addition to usual chauffeur activity.
We seek chauffeurs with Mercedes E, S and V class, BMW 7 series or Range Rover vehicles registered after 1st September 2017.
We in particular welcome enquiries from those with 2nd language skills and from all genders. You and your vehicle of course must be fully licenced.
If interested, please contact a member of the team at partners@chabe.co.uk.
Often in the shadow of the light of large-scale events, the transport function is nonetheless one of keys to their success.
Despite the context, Chabé recently had the pleasure to put its expertise for the benefit to a major sport event held this spring.
Last year, Chabé had already successfully completed this challenge, so the security and hygiene measures were well organized.
This year, the fleet of partner vehicles was composed of 162 almost exclusively hy-brid and electric vehicles, an additional challenge for the technical teams but es-pecially an opportunity for Chabe to affirm its CSR approach.
In addition to the fleet, Chabé has intensified its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the recruitment of teams that participated in the event. More than 10% of chauffeurs recruited were women – a profession traditionally preferred by men – and all generations were represented (from 20 to 77 years old!)
“Maintaining and therefore organizing events during this period was difficult for our customer, however our expertise and unfailing support enabled us to success-fully complete this event while staying true to our values and our social and envi-ronmental comments. We are not afraid of new challenges and are proud to have met them thanks to our teamwork and unfailing motivation” Mathieu Cottenceau, Events project manager
5 months of organization in order to prepare an exceptional event
… 27 days of operation, 7/7
…291 chauffeurs including 30 women
…chauffeurs aged between 20 and 77 years old
…162 event partner vehicles, 48 electric, 112 Hybrid, all installed with plexiglas separation by the Chabé Tea
…A fleet of over 40 charging stations
…nearly 4 000 shifts chauffeurs
…more than 19 500 transfers
…a dedicated team of 15 people
…hundreds of PCR tests for the coordinating team and chauffeurs every 7 days
So, despite a difficult and uncertain context, Chabé has once again taken up the challenge and challenged itself in terms of CSR while offering a bespoke transportation experience in line with the prestige of the event. Its expertise in event transportation is once again confirmed, in particular thanks to teamwork, one of the Group’s main values.
2021 is the Centenary for the family business. This is the occasion to make you discover throughout the year the history of Chabé, from its beginnings to nowadays.
Maurice Chabé, a visionary with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, came home from the Great War and decided to serve clients in luxury Parisian hotels during the roaring twenties.
Backed by the experience of his father, who had owned a handful of hansom cabs, Maurice bought his first car in 1921 and drove it himself.
The “Établissements Maurice Chabé” company grew little by little throughout the 20th century and went on to become the Chabé Group.
100 years later, Chabé is now the expert of bespoke journeys, working in a range of different sectors and all over the world at any one time.
100 years later, Chabé is still managed by a member of the founder’s family with the same aim of providing a high-quality service for influential clients.
Chabé offers a bespoke mobility service on an international scale, guaranteeing an outstanding experience for passengers at all times, anywhere in the world. The arrival of Nivin Salem, as Director of International Operations, brings new life to this offer by proposing a reliable and trusted service in 100 countries.
Discover this new offer in video.
In line with its commitment to CSR, Chabé is seeking to offset its carbon emissions.
As a major player in the bespoke transport sector, its greenhouse gas emissions are significant, particularly through the use of its vehicles.
This is why Chabé is collaborating with the GoodPlanet Foundation to contribute to the carbon neutrality of our planet.
For several years now, Chabé has taken a proactive approach to Corporate Social Responsibility, but since last year the Group has decided to speed up deployment, in particular by protecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint.
As customer journeys are a source of emissions, and therefore a powerful lever for reducing CO2 emissions, Chabé wished to start the transition towards a greener fleet, with the deployment of a fleet of electric vehicles.
At the same time, while pending a fully electric fleet, Chabé wanted to contribute to offsetting its CO2 emissions by financing projects to reduce other emissions and to carry out carbon sequestration. It is in this context that the partnership with the GoodPlanet Foundation and Chabé was born.
An extension of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s artistic work and environmental commitment, GoodPlanet, a recognised public interest foundation, aims to make ecology and humanism a central issue in order to encourage people to take concrete action for the Earth and its inhabitants.
Created in 2005 in the form of a non-profit organisation under the French Law of 1901, GoodPlanet was declared a public interest foundation in 2009 and became the ‘GoodPlanet Foundation’.
The GoodPlanet Foundation takes action in three main areas:
• Environmental and solidarity field projects
• Raising awareness and educating people on sustainable development
• Helping companies and institutions implement an environmentally responsible approach
The GoodPlanet Foundation founded one of the first carbon offset programmes in France in 2006.
Aware of the interest aroused by voluntary carbon offsetting, and of the capacities of this tool in the fight against climate change, the Action Carbone Solidaire division of the GoodPlanet Foundation wishesis today seeking to commit to a new definition of voluntary carbon offsetting: the contribution to carbon neutrality.
Carbon offsetting is done by an individual, a company or for an event, and offsets irreducible emissions by funding environmental and social field projects.
Thanks to its real-time fleet tracking tool, Masternaut, Chabé was able to calculate the CO2 emissions of its entire fleet in France. The data were collected for the fourth quarter of 2020. Chabé has contributed to carbon neutrality by reducing the equivalent of 229 tons of CO2 to the benefit of 3 projects.
These projects are categorised as reduction projects, meaning that they provide new and more efficient technology, which will allow people to emit no or less greenhouse gases.
Through its contribution, Chabé participates in the 3 projects below:
• HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECOVERY in Cameroon, Togo and Madagascar.
Sorting and composting improve local management of household waste, while reducing its impact on the environment. In addition, the production of compost contributes to the development of local agriculture that respects the environment and creates jobs for the most disadvantaged populations.
• DIFFUSION OF SOLAR COOKERS in Bolivia
A solar cooker is an insulated wooden box containing an aluminium box, all covered with double glazing to produce the greenhouse effect. The distribution of solar cookers limits the pressure on Andean forests and guarantees access to a clean and sustainable resource. Each solar cooker avoids about 1 tonne of CO2 emissions per year.
• DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PROJECTS Developing Countries (DC) and Least Developed Countries (LDC)
The objective of this project is to provide developing and least developed countries with access to renewable and sustainable energy by the first half of 2021.
After we removed newspapers and magazines from our vehicles to limit the spread of Covid-19, last September we brought our passengers a new experience, with the chance to read the New York Times.
This initiative is perfectly in line with our CSR approach, with waste management by reducing or even eliminating paper or printed media, but also as part of our hygiene procedures based on a contactless experience.
As soon as passengers take a seat in our vehicles, they receive a message with a unique link providing them with unlimited access to New York Times articles for 24 hours.
To make more passengers happy, we have raised the number of daily newspapers and magazines available for free.
Now, over 3,300 newspapers and 4,300 magazines are available through our portal from around 30 categories, including art, business, history and science, fashion and more, and all in over 60 languages.
This experience is available worldwide and caters to a wide range of passengers, regardless of their language and interests.
Luxury hotels, event organizers, concierge services… we can customize our portal to suit your establishment, brand or event and incorporate other experiences to meet your needs: brochures, programmes, menus… We are on hand to create an in-car experience in line with your expectations.
The pandemic has turned our consumption habits upside down and with the health restrictions imposed – lockdown, curfews – distance sales are unsurprisingly on the rise. The luxury goods sector is no exception: remote advice, digital fashion week, video presentations, online sales… as customer relations become more digital, Chabé has decided to launch a new bespoke delivery service in France, in Switzerland and in the UK. Vincent Grenard, Sales Director for the Luxury Division at Chabé, tells us about this new service offer: Bespoke Delivery.
How did you come up with the idea of launching a bespoke delivery service?
When the second lockdown was announced, our luxury customers had to rethink how they sell, switching to distance selling for the most part. While the brands do everything possible to maintain the link with their customers, the traditional delivery methods seemed to be out of step with the rest of their customer experience. This is why we came up with the idea of offering a bespoke transport service, in line with the brands’ image.
And then, we also thought about all the luxury collection launches – fashion, jewellery, haute couture – which are now delivered digitally. We asked ourselves how we could help brands serve their customers during a virtual event. If customers can no longer travel to the event venue, why not deliver a meal, cocktail or a gift to be enjoyed while watching the show from their living room?
How does Chabé’s bespoke delivery service help brands to differentiate their customer experience?
The service we offer through our Bespoke Delivery service differs in two main ways: personalization and customer experience.
In contrast to the solutions that exist on the market today, our offer is based on a fully customisable service. It starts with a delivery by appointment: we do not deliver an item in a prescribed time slot, but rather at a specific time chosen by the customer. We apply our operational expertise from our passenger service to the bespoke deliver service ensuring consistent punctuality 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Items are handled with the utmost care from the boutique shop or warehouse to the customer’s door. Items can be packed as they would be if bought directly from the shop. They can be handed over to customers with personalised attention or messages.
Our chauffeurs are true ambassadors of the brand: impeccably dressed, always acting with discretion and experienced serving the most discerning clientele.
And when the brand wishes to add an extra touch of attention, it can send one of its representatives with the chauffeur to deliver the present in person.
Who is this service for?
We designed it to meet the needs of luxury houses, whether they are boutiques, event teams or customer experience managers, looking for new ideas to build customer loyalty, differentiate themselves from the competition and offer innovative services.
But this service could also meet the needs of luxury concierges, for example, or event agencies.
What is the feedback so far?
Our clients have shown a lot of interest in a service that they often had not thought of or identified as a possible differentiating factor. We recently implemented this service for a luxury brand, which was organising a virtual event for its most important clients and wanted to deliver a packed lunch to enhance their evening. The feedback was very positive!
We hope to roll out this offer in Europe very soon.
Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977 International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is defined as a day when women are recognised for their achievements, regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
An opportunity for Chabé to reflect on the role of women in a family business with the Director of Human Resources and member of the Executive team, Frédérike Dupont-Pauchet.
What is the contribution of women at Chabé?
At the origin of its creation, Chabé was led by Maurice Chabé, then for many decades has had women leaders; firstly Eliane Lo Jacomo, his daughter, and then Agnès Lo Jacomo, his granddaughter who only recently handed over the Group CEO role to her son Guillaume Connan and remains chairwoman of The Board.
It is above all a family story that benefited from female leadership for many decades. It is therefore very natural for women to continue to hold senior positions within the business. This not new to Chabé and is central to the corporate culture.
At Chabé the question of gender does not arise. When recruiting employees, we give priority to competent candidates with a strong customer service culture, without consideration to gender. This applies to all roles in the business irrelevant to how senior the role is.
Chabé’s executive board is exemplary in this respect, because gender parity is perfectly respected, as is its governance.
For chauffeurs it has historically been a profession dominated by men and we still have more to do to encourage women to become chauffeurs and join the business.
In your opinion, why is it difficult to have female chauffeurs?
As explained above, historically it is a profession that has been dominated by men. It is up to us to find ways to engage with more women, to encourage them and introduce them to the profession of chauffeuring, and then to hire them. A large proportion of our employees have become chauffeurs as part of a professional retraining programme; this is an opportunity for women in the same situation.
However, we still find that some of our male clients are still socially uncomfortable to be assisted by a female chauffeur who might be required to carry their luggage. We must help to overcome these social clichés.
Chabé adopted a voluntary and ambitious approach to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), are there actions to ensure the parity of women as part of your CSR plan?
Yes, in 2020 we have put in place a company commitment to ensure equality between female and male employees. Among other things, we actively want to increase the number of female chauffeurs.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has limited the opportunity to recruit this year. We do have a HR charter which reinforces our commitment to recruiting without discrimination of any kind. We are also considering a bespoke journey service for women passengers; driven by women.
As a director but also a member of the Management Committee and working in Human Resources, do you have any advice or message to share?
The subject of gender equality is a subject that is near and dear to my heart and to which I am fully committed. The emancipation of women and the use of their skills are essential for optimising a company’s competitiveness. Leadership teams with diverse members are more likely to find innovative solutions that will promote inclusive growth. Changing women’s perceptions of their capabilities is key to combating stereotypes, as well asgiving them the support they need to compete for leadership positions. It is up to us to continue to promote the importance of equality at Chabé so that gender equality is always a strength for the business and a role model for society.
More information about the International Women’s day: un.org/en/observances/womens-day
As an expert in bespoke journeys, Chabé offsets all the carbon emissions linked to the provision of its services through the Good Planet foundation. It becomes the first French company to receive the new EQV. These 4 EQVs are its first 100% electric vans. One more step towards the predominantly low-carbon fleet that Chabé intends to offer from 2022.
Montigny-le-Bretonneux (78) / Nanterre (92). Chabé wants to offer its customers more environmentally friendly vehicles and assert itself as a responsible and innovative player in bespoke journeys.
After having integrated its first hybrid vehicles in 2019 and then, in 2020, 100% electric vehicles – of various brands -, Chabé, which has been using various Mercedes models (E, S and V Class and Maybach) for a long time, has just received 4 EQVs, the 100% electric version of the V Class, at its headquarters in Nanterre (92). Guillaume Connan, CEO of Chabé, and Jean-Christophe Ajax, Mercedes-Benz VN Sales Director, tell us more about the environmental strategy of their respective groups.
For several years now, Chabé has been engaged in a voluntary and ambitious CSR approach. One of your priorities is the protection of the environment. Can you tell us more about it?
Guillaume Connan : Before drawing up our action plan, we established a diagnosis of Chabé’s environmental performance and determined a precise methodology for measuring our emissions. Since then, we have been offsetting the CO2 emissions of all our passengers’ journeys where we operate directly and also on behalf of our subsidiaries and partners around the world. We have also worked to reduce our waste, both inside and outside the vehicle, and have identified a dozen areas where we are working daily to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to provide a premium mobility experience for our passengers.
As a car manufacturer, what are Mercedes-Benz’s most important ecological measures?
Jean-Christophe Ajax : Our “Ambition 2039” programme, which is our roadmap for CO2-neutral mobility, includes 100% electric vehicles such as EQV, EQC and future EQS for cars as well as hybridisation for the latter. Not forgetting the further optimisation of internal combustion engines. In addition, from 2022, all our Cars and Vans factories will be CO2 neutral. This will also apply to our battery production sites.
What are the main features of the new EQV which has just joined the Chabé fleet?
JC-A : Like all V-Class vehicles, the EQV can accommodate up to 8 people (including the chauffeur) with the advantages of zero-emission driving. The EQV delivers very convincing performance (maximum output 204 hp), with all the advantages of the V-Class in terms of functionality, comfort and design. Its 90 kWh battery provides a range of up to 353 km in the WLTP combined cycle and even more in 100% urban driving.
GC : The V-Class is a central model in our offer. It is popular with families for sightseeing and is very popular with companies for business trips. The EQV offers the same habitability as the V-Class while having a considerable advantage for passengers: silence! This unique feature will make it even more appreciated and lets us anticipate a strong demand from our clients.
Will there be an operational difference?
JC-A : The EQV can be recharged from 10 to 80% in just 45 minutes on a high-speed terminal and between 6.30 and 9.30 am on a wallbox. A whole ecosystem makes your life easier. The chauffeur can modulate the degree of engine power (4 modes) and use the steering wheel paddles to manage the 5 recovery modes. In addition, the MBUX multimedia system allows, thanks to the EQ menu, to choose the ideal route to the terminals or to display, on the 10.25-inch screen, for example, the histogram of energy flow and consumption. The MBUX can also be operated by voice with the simple command “Hey, Mercedes”. Finally, the chauffeur can enter his departure time, set the desired interior temperature, etc. on his Mercedes Me Charge app from home.
GC : The vehicle’s range is very well adapted to urban and even peri-urban use. For long distances, we will use thermal models (while compensating for emissions, as for the rest of our fleet). The need to load vehicles imposes equipment constraints but we believe that the benefit to our customers and the planet is well worth it. Finally, we have planned specific training modules for electric driving, to optimise its autonomy, while improving passenger comfort.
To conclude, how do you see the mobility of the future?
JC-A : The transport of people and merchandise will become increasingly complex in cities. To support professionals, we already offer – in addition to the EQV – the eVito, the eSprinter and the eVito Tourer. With the next generation of Citan, 100% of our van range will also be available in electric. Finally, our parent company has just announced an investment of 350 million euros in the versatile electric platform of the future eSprinter, which will be ideal for a wide range of activities, from vans to shuttles and chassis-based bodies.
GC: Mobility has evolved considerably in recent years and will continue to be a fantastic breeding ground for innovation. The future of mobility will be digital, provided that technology improves the passenger experience, open to several modes of travel, as customers want to use the transport that is best suited to their needs, at a particular time and place, and environmentally friendly. These developments are at the heart of our strategy.
More information about the EQV
* Updated on 10 August 2021: To date, the Chabé park has 14 EQVs
In this difficult period, in particular for the event sector, Chabé had the pleasure to put its expertise for the benefit of two of the few sport events that happened this fall..
The first event was originally planned in spring but was then postpone to September in order to maintain the event in good conditions. Opened to the public, the health and safety requirements had to be reinforced, which led to multiple modifications in the organization and consequently, in the transportation
IN A FEW FIGURES :
8 months of organization in order to prepare an exeptional event, in unprecedented conditions
…27 days of operation
…360 chauffeurs, with a peak of up to 245 activated per day
…185 event partner vehicles
…4,300 shifts chauffeurs
…more than 20,000 transfers
…a dedicated team of 80 people
…approximately 1,500 PCR test results
The second sports event was initially foreseen as an open-to-the-public event with a reduced gauge of 1,000 spectators per day but due to the sanitary situation and new government restrictions, the event was finally held behind closed doors.
An operational team dedicated to the project was created, including 2 back office project coordinators, 3 on-site planners and 2 Field Quality Controllers. Nearly 2,000 transfers were carried out, for 2,800 people transported by about 50 chauffeurs trained by Chabé.
Chabé had already put in place reinforced hygiene measures within its vehicles and among its chauffeurs and passengers (more information about hygiene measures placed by Chabé). We have gone further to respond to the organizer’s needs. Our teams have redoubled their creativity and precision to adapt to the context day after day: set-up of personalized sanitary kits, adjustment of the fleet to limit the number of passengers transported at the same time, Plexiglas partitions in each vehicle, COVID-19 test for all chauffeurs and coordinators.
Chabé’s expertise and team spirit, one of its main values, once again confirmed its position as an expert in event transport, even under particularly demanding conditions.
So, despite a difficult and uncertain context as well as rainy weather, Chabé has taken up the challenge, offering a bespoke transportation experience to players, organisors, partners and sponsors, in line with the prestige of the events.
Since the beginning of December, Daniel Stener has joined the London team as a roadshow expert. This is an opportunity for Chabé to launch the roadshow committee, let’s know much about him and it’s expertise.
Chabé hired you as a roadshow expert, how did you create this expertise?
I have been in the industry for nearly 25 years and began as a chauffeur looking after a range of clients. This experience was essential when I helped create and manage a dedicated team back in 2003.
Over the past 17 years, I have gained experience of roadshows on an international scale, notably in the United States and Hong-Kong.
I have also been able to identify all of the key aspects of Roadshow provision including 24 hour dedicated support, developing bespoke technology solutions, hiring fantastic specialists, chauffeurs and having an international network – these are all items that we have at Chabé and will continue to develop to be at the forefront of the sector.
In your opinion, a company like Chabé should have a department of experts dedicated to roadshows?
Having specialists in this sector is vital as they have to understand the particular needs of the market and the coordinators. They have other things to worry about, and ground transport is an enabler to a Roadshow taking place, not a reason of itself.
Knowing and understanding all aspects of the product is essential, including understanding the specific terminology used by the coordinators and ensuring that the extra levels of checking are completed. Ultimately to be successful, the team must have amazing attention to detail.
Some of Chabé’s Roadshow specialists and chauffeurs in Chabé have more than 20 years of experience in delivering this product.
Consistently applying this expertise and experience in logistics and global travel can make a difference to the success of a deal.
Why did you join Chabé?
It is exciting to join this historic brand with expertise across many sectors, and the expansion into the UK market and significantly increasing our presence in the Roadshow sector represents an exciting opportunity, one I have delivered before and one that I relish now.
The company offers a combination of entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a history of impeccable service delivery, with a focused commitment to do so in the future.
Also the ongoing development of a comprehensive, audited and managed network of affiliate partners around the globe, is compelling to our proposition.
Chabé embraces the combination of technology, process and teamwork and really puts our colleagues at the heart of what we do.
The approach to CSR and the ambitions to de-carbonise and to be at the forefront of Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) fleets is also another compelling reason to join.
In view of the appearance of Covid, our habits have had to be changed, and this has consequences on the bespoke transport sector, how do you envisage the next few months?
Covid has brought so much change to the world and ground transport is no different. The Roadshow sector is dependent on international travel and time will tell when, rather than if, International Roadshows return.
Many in the financial services sectors have said that remote working during lockdown periods allows them to look after their existing business, but there will be a need to meet to discuss new business opportunities and new deals when the time is right.
With the recent updates on vaccines and other testing protocols I hope that travel will start again in the not too distant future.
Before Covid, some domestic Roadshow attendees had felt comfortable using public transport, but in a post Covid world perhaps these people will revert to the comfort & convenience and the flexibility of having a Roadshow trained chauffeur available to them.
Finally, as many cities take active travel measures around vehicle usage and legislation around de-carbonising ground transportation, Chabé will continue to need to be proactive in adopting and utilizing Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicles.
Chabé recently attended the ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) Virtual World Tour. Leslie Moica, Director of Sales and Marketing , looks back on these two weeks of one-to-one meetings with the luxury travel industry
Chabé a participé à l’ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market), Leslie Moica, Directrice Commerciale et Marketing revient sur cet événement en vidéo.
On Tuesday 3rd November at 10.30 am Chabé receives a call….from Qualité Tourisme. Qualité Tourisme™ is the only official trademark awarded to tourism professionals for their service quality.
They called to congratulate Chabé on being awarded a special licence to carry the Qualité Tourisme Brand : “VTC Limousine”
Within the framework of the “Qualité Tourism Mark”, the Government has created a “Chauffeur Driven Vehicles – Limousine” Qualité label which is intended to certify the quality of the welcome and services offered by companies with the “chauffeur driven vehicles for Tourist Clienteles” label.
The C.S.N.E.R.T. (National Trade Union Chamber of Grande Remise and Tourism Companies) has worked to implement a recognized quality approach, supported by the State.
Its aim is to clarify the offer for international customers and to enhance the value of virtuous professionals.
Indeed, this Label is essential for the welcome in France; it allows the country to maintain an exclusive transport service, distinct from that of classic VTC (chauffeur driven vehicles).
Offered under the usual “limousine” formulation, this category of service provider is notably more complex: experienced chauffeurs held to standards of the company’s team of professionals is highly skilled in presentation and courtesy, often speaking several languages, able to accompany their demanding clientele on their travels beyond their own region, in the context of international sporting and industrial events, or government summits.
The reference system set up within the framework of the official “Qualité Tourism” brand covers the provision of chauffeur driven vehicles services; it sets the criteria for the requirements to give it its full legitimacy both with customers and public authorities. This official label now exists and was presented at the C.S.N.E.R.T. annual congress on 15 March 2019 in Paris.
This label reinforces Chabé’s position in its field as an expert in bespoke mobility.
The Group is continuing its development in terms of digital innovation in order to offer unique customer experiences and is opening up internationally, notably by opening an office in London.
Chabé will continue to develop in order to be able to seamlessly integrate into the extraordinary experiences.
Discover the interview with Pierre Piperis about the “VTC – Limousines” Quality Label.
The opening of a new operation in London marks a major milestone in the Group’s international development and ambition.
We can serve you as of the 1st October in London with the highest quality fleet and chauffeurs.
Chabé is now present with its own operations in 4 countries – France, Switzerland, Monaco and the United Kingdom – and is today the largest provider of bespoke mobility in Continental Europe.
More information in video with Guillaume Connan, CEO of Chabé.
Sustainable development issues and ecological awareness are at the heart of strategic thinking in today’s businesses. Thus, after initiating a voluntary approach to Corporate Social Responsibility last year, Chabé has decided to accelerate its implementation in 2020, with environmental protection and sustainable employment as priorities.
“Our clients are increasingly aware of their suppliers’ commitment to CSR. As a major actor in bespoke mobility, we have an important role to play in reducing our carbon emissions and waste. Dematerialisation projects, the transition to electric vehicles and eco-driving training are all initiatives that will have a positive impact on our planet, but also on the client experience and confirm our willingness to act.” Leslie Moica, Sales and Marketing Director.
Awaiting the replacement of the fleet with clean vehicles – vehicles as soon as they become available on the market – Chabé has committed to offset with the Good Planet foundation all the carbon emissions linked to the provision of its services.
Chabé has replaced the service cars with 100% electric cars.
All our chauffeurs are trained in eco-driving encouraging smoother driving that helps reduce CO2 emissions. All of our teams implement the recycling of consumables wherever possible (ink cartridges, washing water, water bottles, etc.).
The water bottles have been replaced by new 100% recyclable ones.(More information)
Dedicated bins for masks, wipes and gloves have been installed to prevent this health and environmental risk.
The order process is entirely dematerialised (order forms are sent to drivers on their smartphone). The same applies to training materials.
The paper press is going to evolve towards a digital press (more info)
We promote the long-term employment of professional chauffeurs. More than 75% of Chabé’s full-time chauffeurs are on permanent contracts. All the chauffeurs are paid fairly, significantly above the conventional minimum.
From mid-October, Chabé will offer its passengers a digital newspaper service accessible from their mobile phones.
“Due to Covid-19, we have removed all newspapers available in the rear of the vehicles. We have accelerated the launch of our press digitalisation project. We are delighted to be able to offer this new experience to our customers very soon.” Leslie Moica, Sales & Marketing Director.
How does the service work?
At the start of the journey, the passenger receives an SMS with a link to access the application. All the passenger has to do is click to access, without restriction, the titles available for 24 hours.
The first available title will be the New York Times, then gradually more digital newspapers will be accessible as they are added.
Chabé had already planned this innovation to meet its voluntary CSR commitment of moving paperless. This acceleration also enabled us to be more COVID secure by delivering content to your own device. Discover the article about CSR
The 22nd Edition of Art Paris took place from 10 to 13 september 2020 at the Grand Palais in Paris with 112 galleries from 15 countries as well as new participants such as Yvon Lambert, Jean-François Cazeau or Perrotin. The event hosted 23 218 participants.
Art Paris Art Fair was the first cultural event of the new school year dedicated to professionals and enthusiasts of modern and contemporary art.
For the 4th consecutive year, Chabé was one of the partners of Art Paris Art Fair. For this occasion, we ensured transportation for organizers and VIPS throughout the event.
For more information about the event: www.artparis.com
With the mild and warm climate of this summer, the harvest is coming early this year in Bordeaux.
The Bordeaux agency offers you a half-day grape harvest workshop.
The harvesting teams are ready to harvest the merlots around September 14th .
As every year, the Harvest workshop takes place in half a day from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm on the estate of Château Gruaud-Larose, second classified Grand Cru of the Médoc.
The workshop begins with a walk in the vineyards following the grape pickers, a thorough visit of the vineyard and a tasting of the different grape varieties present on the property, as well as wines fresh from their vats.
Finally, you will be invited inside the Chateau to enjoy a meal accompanied by the two wines of the property.
For this characteristic event of the Médoc, the company Chabé in Bordeaux offers a complete package including your private transport up to 8 passengers with a professional driver from your hotel to the Château Gruaud Larose and back to Bordeaux.
for this service at the price of €430.00 for 6 hours.
The service offered by the estate on site is at the price of €60/person to be paid directly to the property.
*The dates of harvest are not exactly fixed, do not hesitate to come back to us if you are interested to refine the possible dates..
Find out more about the Bordeaux agency
Contact the agency for more information or for a quote request
As part of its CSR approach, Chabé is replacing the water bottles made available to its passengers with new, unlabeled Evian bottles, a first in France. These 40cl bottles are made entirely from recycled material and 100% recyclable.
These new packaging, unveiled by Evian after 2 years of research and innovation, are made exclusively from old bottles, offering a new minimalist and very pure design.
Distributed only for the out-of-home consumption circuit, Evian is opening the way to new, more sustainable containers.
This ecological approach is part of the action plan put in place as part of its CSR commitment.
Taking a further step towards the circular economy and the reduction of its carbon footprint, Chabé supports its desire to integrate the environmental issues into its global strategy.
From now on, Chabé offers a custom motorcycle transportation service. Don’t worry about traffic jam anymore, opt for fast transport while preserving your safety and comfort.
A true Rolls Royce of motorcycle, the Honda Goldwing makes your trips easier and more pleasant than ever. With a powerful and flexible engine, the motorcycle has a great comfort during even the longest trips.
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Since the health crisis linked to Covid19, hygiene protocols have been reinforced to limit the risk of contamination during the trip especially:
Pierre, as Deputy General Manager in charge of Operations, can you give us an update on the hygiene measures put in place in your vehicules?
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in France, we have reinforced our hygiene measures within our vehicles to protect our passengers but also our drivers.
At the end of January we received a large quantity of antiseptic wipes to enable our drivers to clean the vehicles after each mission, the seats, armrests and door handles, inside and outside.
Other measures were put in place very quickly to limit the spread of the virus in our cars and in particular:
Since the implementation of the confinement, we exclusively provide services by Van in order to respect the safety distances recommended by the authorities, between the passengers and the driver.
We have also adapted 14 of our vehicles (7 Mercedes Vito and 7 Mercedes V Class) with a Plexiglas separation between the front and rear seats of the vehicle for even more safety.
Finally, we are in regular contact with the Ministry of Transport in order to know the progress, the regulatory texts and the latest information on this current situation, which allows us to update the hygiene and safety measures for our passengers and employees very quickly.
Do you have any special recommendations for the passengers?
We need passengers to respect the recommendations made by the Government to protect themselves, their loved ones and our drivers. We cannot insist enough on how important barrier gestures are. They can also open their rear windows to help ventilate the vehicle.
I also remind passengers that they must have a certificate of exceptional travel or permanent proof (to download here), to travel legally.
Of course, our drivers have a permanent travel authorisation which allows them to continue to serve our customers.
Have the drivers been sensitised to barrier gestures and what have you put in place to protect them?
All our drivers have of course been sensitized to barrier gestures. We also have a dedicated telephone number for our drivers to answer any questions they may have. The nature of their job does not allow our drivers to telework, so I salute their courage. In addition to barrier gestures, we have implemented a series of measures designed to reinforce their safety, in particular with the installation of Plexiglass dividers between the front and rear of the vehicle.
Naturally, we are thinking about our drivers, but I would also like to highlight that Chabé operates thanks to a whole support team, from the front office to the dispatch, from the sales department to the IT department, most of whom continue to work from home to continue to serve our customers.
Why maintain Chabé’s activity in a period of confinement?
Although our mobility is currently reduced to the essentials, some trips are still necessary. The Chabé teams remain mobilized to serve those who need to travel in this time of crisis and we are doing everything possible to do so in the best possible conditions.
(Re)discover the letter from Guillaume Connan, President of Chabé, by clicking here
From February 23rd to 26th, the Chauffeur Driven Show was held in Las Vegas, an international professional show bringing together more than 1000 professionals in the chauffeur-driven transport industry.
This year’s edition was the first to be held in partnership with the National Limousine Association (NLA) at Mandalay Bay.
Guillaume Connan, Chairman, and Nathalie Sauvan, Key Account Manager represented Chabé during these 3 days in Las Vegas.
“This event allowed us to meet our historical international partners, but also to make new encounters to strengthen the network and to continue our international development. It also allowed us to offer a continuity of service to our clients, but also to exchange with our colleagues on the future of the profession“, explains Nathalie Sauvan. “Indeed, the activity is led to develop especially in terms of digital innovation, environmental commitment and customer experience” adds Nathalie. During these 3 days, the professionals of the sector were able to participate in conferences on various subjects such as fleet management, payment methods optimization, drivers recruitment, activity management software…
“After those days in Las Vegas, we now need to continue to develop our international relationship to ensure that we can provide a quality, bespoke mobility service to our customers in any country. ”concludes Nathalie
Paris Fashion Week is the major event for fashion lovers.
From 14 to 23 January, exceptional locations such as the Grand Palais, the Palais de Tokyo, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, the Centre Pompidou, the Wagram Room and ambassadors’ residences saw the greatest luxury brands on show. After Haute Couture and Men’s Fashion, it is Women’s Fashion turn to make its show.
From February 24th to March 3rd, Chabé provides transportation for VIPs, journalists and employees of the luxury houses. A fleet of 250 chauffeur-driven vehicles is mobilized to ensure the smooth running of the various events.
Airport transfers and event transport – photo shoots, fashion shows, parties… – are provided by a dedicated team and professional multilingual drivers.
Every year, Chabé refines its system a little more to ensure a quality of service in adequation with the extraordinary events organized by its customers.
