Jean-Christophe Repon, re-elected President of CAPEB for a third term: focusing on defending very small businesses in the construction sector

Jean-Christophe Repon has been re-elected president of the Confederation of Craft Trades and Small Building Enterprises (CAPEB), extending his term for a third consecutive period. At the helm of this representative organization for building tradespeople since 2020, he continues his work in a context marked by successive crises that have severely impacted the sector.

In a challenging economic environment, the president of CAPEB wants to maintain a clear stance: defending the interests of very small businesses (VSBs), which make up the bulk of the construction sector in France. He emphasizes the importance of their role in the national economy and in the energy transition.

Jean-Christophe Repon expressed his determination to continue his commitment: “It is with great determination and pride that I continue my commitment to the building trades. Small and medium-sized construction businesses are the backbone of our economy. I am convinced that the business model that CAPEB defends makes perfect sense and is essential to the balance of our society. Throughout my term, I will strive to provide the 526,000 small and medium-sized construction businesses with a clear, fair, and sustainable future. This will inevitably require better consideration of their voices, which will be a key focus of my presidency.”

Two priorities for a new term

For his third term, Jean-Christophe Repon has set several strategic priorities to strengthen the role of artisans in public policy. He particularly emphasizes the need to better integrate the realities of very small businesses into regulatory and economic decisions.

He also raises concerns about the sector's situation, which is facing a series of crises: the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring material costs, the war in Ukraine, and energy tensions. These factors are impacting business activity and putting a long-term strain on small and medium-sized enterprises.

In this context, he calls for a shift in public policies to support the construction industry: “Small, independent construction businesses can no longer be overlooked by public policy. They represent the vast majority of the sector and ensure its daily vitality. Our responsibility is to have their specific characteristics recognized and to obtain appropriate decisions. The reality is simple: without structural change, the sector is sinking into a lasting crisis.”

A major economic and territorial issue

CAPEB emphasizes that small building trades businesses play a central role in local areas, both in terms of employment and local economic development. They represent a significant lever for energy-efficient renovation and adapting the housing stock.

With this in mind, Jean-Christophe Repon argues for better recognition of their contribution and for concrete measures promoting activity, rather than complex or unsuitable systems.

With this third term, the president of CAPEB intends to continue his fight to make the voice of building tradespeople heard and strengthen their place in national economic decisions.