Faced with tensions in the construction sector, the cooperative model is emerging as a lever for sustainable performance

On March 18 and 19, 2026, nearly 11.000 professionals gathered in Nantes for the 6th edition of the Cooperative Craftsmen's Fair organized by ORCAB.

In an economic context weakened for the building sector, this BtoB event reserved for cooperative craftsmen and their partners has established itself as a true observatory of the changes in the profession and of collective solutions enabling craft businesses to strengthen their performance while preserving their independence.

Strong mobilization in a tense sectoral context

Conceived by and for artisans, the Cooperative Artisans' Fair is a highlight of the cooperative life of the ORCAB network. This latest edition confirmed the strong mobilization of craft businesses around a central issue: adapting their economic model to a more unstable and demanding environment.

The 2026 trade show in figures:

Nearly 11.000 visitors and exhibitors gathered over two days, with almost 500 partner suppliers in attendance.
over 7.500 m2 of exhibition space
41 cooperatives represented

A comprehensive program of conferences, workshops and professional training courses

A premier technical trade show, the event provided a concrete opportunity to address real-world issues: installation, after-sales service, industry challenges, product innovations, the economic challenges facing the sector, and operational solutions. It was a space for direct exchange between tradespeople, manufacturers, and cooperatives, where the focus was primarily on industry-related topics.

The cooperative model, a structural response to changes in the sector

In a market marked by more uncertain cycles, cooperation appears as a lever for performance at several levels: economic, technical and organizational.

The model advocated by ORCAB is based on a key principle:

Reconciling entrepreneurial independence and collective interdependence. A positioning that appeals to more and more artisans, attached to their autonomy while seeking tools to secure their business.
Another notable development: the purchasing cooperative is increasingly evolving into a service cooperative.

Far beyond simply pooling purchases, ORCAB meets the expectations of its members in terms of:

unifying events that allow for the regular exchange of information and feedback.
technical support for specific business needs, including management and performance tools

This unique model also relies on a strong commitment from the associate members, who are invited to be fully involved in cooperative life.

Three major changes at the heart of trade

1- The collective as an economic buffer

Faced with market volatility, pooling resources helps to secure supplies, optimize costs and strengthen the competitiveness of craft businesses.

2- An acceleration of the digital transformation, driven by AI

Digitalization is emerging as a strategic lever. ORCAB is currently structuring 13 data projects integrating artificial intelligence. Among the announced developments:

Launch in April 2026 of tools facilitating product search through intelligent interfaces
expanded data utilization via enhanced PIM (product information management)
development in June of a custom-made pricing tool dedicated to joinery

Objective: to simplify the daily lives of craftsmen and improve the management of their business, while supporting their customers' journey from beginning to end.

In this context, conferences dedicated to artificial intelligence have met with strong interest, providing a very concrete approach to business uses.

For Laurent Wiart, Eksplodo company: “The goal is to demystify AI, to show that it’s accessible to everyone, provided they know how to use it. Tradespeople leave with concrete resources, such as video tutorials, to save hundreds of hours a year. This can range from rewriting an email to creating a quote using voice commands from their phone, directly after a client meeting. And we know that the speed of sending a quote is a key factor in winning a project. These tools allow tradespeople to leave more confident, with simple, practical, and immediately usable solutions.”

3- The increasing importance of environmental and societal requirements

Interest in sustainable housing solutions is confirmed, as is the growing demand for labels and responsible approaches.

At the end of 2025, ORCAB signed the Responsible Purchasing Charter promoted by the French Ombudsman. To pool, structure, and accelerate the CSR initiatives undertaken individually by cooperatives, a national commission was launched in the first quarter of 2026.

A place for concrete exchanges to improve performance on the ground

At the heart of the show, the conferences and workshops addressed directly operational topics with a strong desire to provide solutions that can be immediately activated by craftsmen.

During a workshop dedicated to communication, Alexis Lamy of Sté-Saycom "emphasized the need to simplify approaches: " The idea of my intervention was to remove the cloud of information that artisans have in their heads to help them act according to their objectives: to grow, sustain or develop their business, with simple tools such as the Google listing, the website, SEO or even customer reviews. »

Accompanying the craftsman all the way to the end customer

ORCAB's ambition now extends beyond mere economic performance. The group intends to support craft businesses across the entire value chain, all the way to the end customer. This comprehensive approach aims to:

continuously improve service quality and strengthen business competitiveness
to promote local, independent and sustainable craftsmanship

A dynamic driven by 35 years of commitment

This 2026 edition is part of a symbolic year for ORCAB, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

In an uncertain economic climate, cooperation allows artisans to remain free and independent while benefiting from the strength of the collective. This trade fair illustrates our ability to innovate, share, and build concrete solutions together for the future of the sector.

The cooperative model, a strategic asset for the future of construction

By enabling artisans to pool their resources, access high value-added services and share their expertise, ORCAB contributes to sustainably strengthening the resilience of the French craft sector.