Henri Coisne, Sonepar’s founder and honorary chairman passed away on Dec. 15 at the age of 99. He founded Sonepar in 1969, and the company now operates more than 40 countries and has 45,000 associates.
Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette, Sonepar chairman, said in a company release, “Our father was a pioneer who was an inspiration to all of us. He was always ambitious and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit which will continue to guide the Group in the future. He was fair and good man.
“As a family business, he was obsessed with the long term and even if he no longer held an operational role, he always remained fully up-to-date with all the developments in the Group. As he would often say, ‘What counts is what lasts.’
“Over 50 years later, Sonepar’s independence remains a key strength to support the Group’s strategy of sustainable, long-term growth powered by the commitments of its family shareholders.”