A historical company

Experience acquired through the decades

In 1908, Mr. Masson founds his company in Courbevoie near Paris, France. This is where a whole range of marine transmissions will be developed and built. They are made for both fixed and controllable pitch propellers, purpose-built for workboats.

In the 70s, Masson moves to its present location in Sens, France, as a part of Pont-à-Mousson group. At that time, the workboat market is undergoing profound changes, and the professionals' new requirements lead Masson to design power take-off drives for auxiliary equipment such as pumps and generators.

Other products are also being made on those premises. In particular, the company builds gearboxes for buses, and brake disks for railway vehicles.

From 1981 to 1993, Renk, belonging to MAN group, take over Masson and found joint venture company named Société Européenne d'Engrenages. During this period, a whole new generation of large reduction ratio marine transmissions is being developed.

In 1999, ZF acquire S.E.E. to create ZF-Masson, who will become the preferential "workboat" applications centre. With this in mind, ZF-Marine also charge Masson with the development and the production of controllable pitch propellers, so as to be in a position to supply all-encompassing propulsion systems.

In November 2005, Masson become independent and create Masson-Marine S.A.S.

In January 2007, Masson-Marine takes over the sales and acquire the know-how of France's leader in the field of controllable pitch propellers: France Hélices.