Japan’s Nankai Plywood Co Ltd has completed a transaction to acquire French plywood producer Joubert Group.
Joubert, founded in 1972, makes FSC and PEFC-certified okoumé and poplar plywood. The transaction closed in October 2025.
The company consists of a team of 350 employees spread across two factories in France and a peeling site in Gabon. The Joubert Group’s products are sold in 35 countries and used in various applications, including outdoor and indoor fittings, boat building, and recreational vehicle manufacturing. In 2024, Joubert Plywood posted a turnover of €75m.
Founded in 1942 by the Maruyama family, Nankai Plywood is a Japanese group specializing in wooden building materials for interior finishes. The group has a presence in Japan with a production facility and a research centre, as well as an international presence with a subsidiary in Indonesia and two subsidiaries in France. The group is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and employs more than 1,800 people worldwide.
The acquisition of the Joubert Group by Nankai Plywood will allow both companies to merge their expertise and create a global leader. This partnership will preserve the shared heritage and values of both groups, which are centred on product excellence and environmental stewardship.
