Early Life and Education
Bernard Fraisse was born in France in August 1956. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Fraisse's upbringing in the Ardèche region instilled in him a strong work ethic and ambition.
Rise to Success
Fraisse began his career as a chemical salesman, which gave him insight into the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. In 1981, at the age of 25, he founded Rhône Chimie Industrie (RCI), a small packaging unit. In 1985, he founded Fareva. Fareva grew to become the largest contract manufacturing organization (CMO) in France and one of the top five globally. The company's revenues reached $1.4 billion in 2015. Fraisse expanded Fareva's activities to include household products, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production.
Key Business Strategies
Fraisse's strategy has been to focus on client relationships and international development. He expanded Fareva's operations, acquiring production sites in Europe, the United States, and other countries. Fraisse has maintained Fareva as a family-owned and independent company, rejecting private equity investments.
Philanthropy
Bernard Fraisse's philanthropy is rooted in his commitment to his native Ardèche region and his dedication to creating a positive corporate culture.