French cosmetic industrialist Yves Rocher, dead at 79

French businessman Yves Rocher, founder and head of the cosmetics company named after him, died on December 26 in Paris at the age of 79.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy offered his condolences: The head of the state insists on paying homage to the civic commitment of this man, passionate about politics, having held many mandates in Brittany, the place he loved so much and where he developed part of the activities of his company.

Yves Rocher company employs over 15,000 people worldwide. Its annual turnover is about two billion Euro. The company estimated that it serves yearly about 40 million clients. The biggest markets are France, Germany and Russia. Rocher founded the company in 1959 and built it to a group which is present in more than 30 countries. He came with an idea to offer its cosmetic products for all women at an affordable price. The company is known to grow all the plants for cosmetics sold under its brand name. Group controls another seven brands: Daniel Jouvance, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, Isabel Derroisne, Kiotis, Galerie Noemie.