OUR HISTORY
Our history
Since 1927, MS BOIS (formerly Monnet-Sève Sougy) has been built around a simple idea: to transform quality French timber, as close as possible to its source and its customers.
From the small Outriaz sawmill to the 5 sawmills spread across the main forest massifs, five generations have shaped a group that has become the leading softwood sawyer in France.
This history, built on investments, innovations, and a constant local presence, explains our current strength and our ability to sustainably support timber construction in France.
The Beginnings: A Family Business Rooted in Outriaz (1927 -1980)
The story begins in 1927 in Outriaz, in the Ain region, where Célestin Monnet established a carpentry and joinery business with a first sawing tool to process the fir and spruce from Bugey.
In 1942, Maurice Sève and Marius Monnet took over the company, mechanized the sawmill, and laid the foundations for the site that still remains the group’s historic headquarters.
For over fifty years, our family sawmill developed recognized expertise: local sourcing, controlled processing, and a commitment to wood quality.
These foundations—proximity to resources, softwood expertise, and a long-term vision—would form the DNA of MS BOIS.
Industrialization and Multi-site Expansion (1981 -2009)
From the 1980s, the group scaled up. Under the impetus of Jean-Claude Sève and Guy Monnet, the company accelerated its industrialization to meet a growing demand for wood in construction.
Between 1981 and 2009, several structuring decisions shaped MS BOIS:
1981
Advanced modernization of the Outriaz site.
1995
Integration of the Sougy-sur-Loire site, the group’s largest site.
1992
Creation of the Saint-Vulbas sawmill, designed to increase volumes and improve flexibility.
2000
Acquisition of the Maîche sawmill, strengthening presence in the Jura and Doubs massifs.
In the 90s, Thomas Sève and Stéphane Vives joined, structuring the group’s technical, commercial, and industrial evolution.
This period marks the transition to a multi-site model, capable of securing supply, bringing production closer to forest massifs, and supporting the growth of wood in construction. Furthermore, the end of this period is marked by the arrival of Jean-Denis Monnet and Guillaume Monnet in 2004 and 2005.
The group then became one of the national leaders in softwood sawing, with rapidly growing production capacity.
The Era of Innovation: Glued Laminated Timber, Modernization, and Scaling Up (2009 - 2021)
The year 2009 marked a real turning point. The group invested in a state-of-the-art glued laminated timber plant in Sougy-sur-Loire, anticipating the rise of large-span timber constructions. This decision opened the way for new structural expertise and considerably expanded the group’s technical offerings. Innovation continued with major investments:
2014 – Installation in Sougy of one of Europe’s first “active curve” sawing lines. MS BOIS thus became a pioneer by integrating asymmetrical, diagonal, heartwood-free, and sapwood-free sawing technology, capable of operating at 150 m/min, improving precision and reducing material loss.
Continuous development of Wood ranges, now a benchmark for outdoor landscaping and technical structures.
Thanks to these industrial tools and a performance-oriented strategy, the group became one of the leading Douglas fir processors in Europe, with over 350,000 m³ processed annually.
This multi-site strategy, built over several decades, is today one of the pillars of the group's consistency and performance.
A National Group, Rooted in Forest Massifs (1927 to Today)
In 2021, the Bois Ariégeois sawmill in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat joined the group.
This integration completes our national presence and provides access to a fifth massif, the Pyrenees, further strengthening our short-circuit model. The early 2020s also saw the arrival of the fifth generation with Sacha VIVES in 2021 and Louis SEVE in 2025.
MS BOIS now relies on:
– 5 production sites,
– A direct presence in the main French forest massifs: Jura, Alps, Morvan, Massif Central, Pyrenees.
This unique network in France guarantees:
A stable supply of French softwood
More reliable lead times
Reduced transport thanks to resource & sawmill proximity
A distribution of volumes to secure all markets
(trade, construction, industry, export).
From Monnet-Sève Sougy to MS BOIS: A New Identity for a Century of Expertise
In 2021, the Bois Ariégeois sawmill in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat joined the group.
In 2025, the group takes a new step: bringing all its activities together under a single brand, MS BOIS.
This evolution is not a name change, but a strategic clarification. It addresses three concrete needs:
Strengthen the group's visibility in France and internationally, in a market where structural timber is gaining ground.
Unify the 5 sites under a clear and legible identity.
Assert its positioning
Leading Douglas Fir Sawer in Europe, Specialist in French Softwood, Trusted Industrial Player.
A History Written with Those Who Make the Company
Since 1927, the group’s growth has relied on the men and women who bring our sites to life: foresters, sawyers, operators, technicians, engineers, sales teams.
Their expertise, adaptability, and culture of well-done work have shaped the quality of MS BOIS products and the consistency of our production.
From generation to generation, these teams have supported the group’s major milestones:
the mechanization of Outriaz, the creation of Saint-Vulbas, the growth of Sougy, the mastery of glued laminated timber, the arrival of Maîche, then Bois Ariégeois.
This transmission of know-how and loyalty largely explain the group’s current strength.
And this story continues to be written every day, driven by the same passion for wood and the desire to advance the French timber industry.
The Management
Frequently Asked Questions
When was MS BOIS founded?
MS BOIS was founded in 1927 in Outriaz (Ain). The company remains a family group, passed down and developed over several generations.
How did MS BOIS become an industrial player?
Thanks to the industrialization of Outriaz in the 1980s, followed by the opening and acquisition of the Saint-Vulbas, Sougy-sur-Loire, and Maîche sites, the group became a leader in French softwood sawing.
Why is MS BOIS a softwood specialist?
The group invested very early in high-performance sawing lines and glued laminated timber, which today allows it to be the leading softwood sawyer in France.
Which sites currently make up MS BOIS?
The group has 5 sites located in the Jura, Alps, Morvan, Massif Central, and Pyrenees massifs.
Why did the group become MS BOIS?
In 2025, the company adopted the MS BOIS brand to unify its sites, clarify its identity, and affirm its national leadership in French softwood.
In which projects has MS BOIS been involved?
MS BOIS has contributed to major projects such as the Athletes’ Village (Paris 2024 Olympics), the Collège du Chéran, and the Halles de Faverges. Also the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris, a school in Fukushima, and many others…
Go further,
Discover how our history fits into a broader vision: a committed, certified group established at the heart of French forest massifs.