Our Story

year of creation

2019

generations

employees

client countries

Turn over export.

1 %

of workshops

1 m²

varivolt and regulators

Electrical
Connections

alternators

1925

CREATION OF BERNARD BONNEFOND

The company was founded in Saint-Étienne by Claude Bernard and Mr Bonnefond. Its main activity is the repair of electrical machines, motors and transformers.

1964

MANUFACTURE OF THE 1ST REGULATOR

The company starts its transformation into an electrical machine manufacturer producing its first 225 KVA regulator

1967

MANUFACTURE OF THE 1ST VARIVOLT

Acquisition of the "VARIVOLT" licence from Electromécanique (Alstom). The first varivolt was manufactured and delivered to Verallia in 1967.

1969

PRODUCTION OF THE 1ST ALTERNATOR

Bernard Bonnefond started out repairing and refurbishing alternators, in 1969, the company began manufacturing alternators.

1972

500 TYPE VARIVOLT

Type 500 is the most powerful varivolt ever created (14 MVA). In 1972, 3 varivolts of this type were designed and manufactured for EDF.

1992

CREATION OF BERNARD ENGINEERING

The creation of Bernard Engineering marks the beginning of the group. This unit designs turnkey solutions to make varivolt installation easier.

1995

CREATION OF AMPPELEC

Amppelec specialises in electrical connections, including the production of bar ducts.

2009

TAKEOVER OF MATRA

Matra was integrated in 2009, giving the Group access to the services of fine sheet metal work for the design of various components.

2025

CENTENNIAL

100 years after its creation, the company represents more than 2000 VARIVOLT worldwide and more than 100 ALTERNATOR.