Patrice Rosier & Lilian Marolleau, Reflet du Monde. Portrait

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Patrice ROSIER and Lilian MAROLLEAU founded the PRDML group, Reflet du Monde, based on a common passion: that of drones. This passion, which has always been nurtured, is part of a market that, at that time, did not yet exist, without the regulations we know today. There is no doubt: the drone has taken its place in the professional world, and continues its ascent.

An all-consuming passion for aeronautics

Patrice Rosier grew up in the Centre region, and discovered a passion for aircraft and model aircraft at the age of 11. Since then, he has continued to take an interest in this environment, with the firm intention of making it his profession. He therefore began to be trained by the Club Bourges Aerospace Modèles, and his desire to continue in this direction has only strengthened.

Over time, his career choice has evolved. From model aircraft, Patrice Rosier decided to turn to aeronautical engineering, and left his native center to join Bordeaux. The metropolis is indeed a breeding ground for companies specializing in aeronautics and aerospace. He then began training at the Institute of Aeronautical Maintenance, located in Mérignac.

Patrice ROSIER drones
Patrice Rosier has always been passionate about drones. Central photography Reflection of the World

The more time passed, the more his initial passion took up the field. The desire to refocus on model aircraft, on drones. At that time, the concept of drone was not yet widespread, and he felt the need to redesign his course accordingly. He then joined the IUT of Bourges, and learned physical measurements. His goal? Associate his “leisure” skills in model aircraft with the notions of physical measurements learned at the IUT.

Arrival in Bordeaux, projects already concrete in mind

Patrice Rosier moved to Bordeaux for his studies, with projects already well thought out under his arm, and went to the University of Bordeaux. There, he met François Baffou, Director of Bordeaux Technowest, still in office today. We are then in 2004, and Patrice presents a catalog of drone applications for several sectors. The market is still young, there are no major players. Faced with the scope of his project, the Director of Technowest proposes to Patrice to create his company quickly… But the latter first wants to finish his studies, focus on this aspect before thinking about starting a business.

“Starting a business is a huge risk, especially when the market is very young or non-existent.”

The market does not exist, but success is beginning to make its way. Indeed, Patrice won the gold medal at the 2004 Lépine Competition with one of his drone prototypes. A prestigious distinction symbol of the scope of his inventions. After this prize, he decided to set up his project at his own pace, alongside his studies. A pleasure, but never a chore, which he speaks of with happiness and emotion.

He then began to present his project, and even made a demonstration of drone flight at Château Laffitte. While the drone is still not known, Patrice then embarks on a graduation topic on the autopilot for drone. Then he wonders: should he start his own business in a young market, with non-existent regulations?

Decisive aerospace professional experience

Finally, Patrice decides to wait before realizing his project, and joins the company Novespace, where famous astronauts work. He even participated in the training of Thomas Pesquet, and set up the first weightless flights for the general public.

During the 8 years he will remain an employee, his projects will remain in the drawers, but his activity brings him a lot. He puts money aside through his position, meets people and learns. His experience acquired within Novespace still serves him on a daily basis in the management of his company.

Meanwhile, Patrice continues to think about his projects always accompanied and supported by Technowest. He even participates in competitions with small groups of students to continue the advancement of his projects. Some have developed, but never materialized.

“You have to be careful about these kinds of decisions, I have no regrets, it was a dream job.”

The big leap towards the creation of PRDML – Reflet du Monde

One day, the desire to get started was stronger, and Patrice Rosier decided to start a new adventure with Lilian Marolleau, met in 2010 at Bordeaux Technowest. A former employee of Thalès, where he worked at the Design Office for more than 17 years, Lilian also has an appetite for aeronautics. Passionate about photography, he decided to leave his position and embark on a reconversion to make it his job and went around the world with his camera in hand.

Lilian Marolleau Reflet du Monde
Lilian Marolleau knew that the drone would be the future, especially in aerial shooting. Photography Reflection of the World

He then worked with Connaissance du Monde and presented his reports shot around the world. However, photography wasn’t his only passion. Lilian is also passionate about paramotoring, a sport with a paragliding sail and a motor located in the pilot’s back.

With the combination of her two passions, Lilian takes breathtaking aerial shots, especially by boat with Yves Parlier or Pascal Vallée, world champion of paramotor. He also works for magazines such as Capital, La Croix, Le Figaro, Géo and his photos are also inserted in Geography textbooks.

Upon his arrival at Technowest, he realized that the arrival of the drone on the market represented a threat to his own business. He then decides to take a closer look at drones, and is introduced to Patrice. Quickly, the two enthusiasts agree and want to launch a joint venture. We are then in 2013, and PRDML is born. This acronym takes the initials of the two founders, and the Drone, the heart of their activity. These are the beginnings of their entrepreneurial adventure together.

A passion pursued from the same time to the realization

As the entrepreneurial adventure begins, Patrice Rosier embarks on the preparation of the drone park. He takes care of the assembly himself, the purchase of the parts during his free time in the evenings and weekends. Indeed, he continues in parallel to exercise his professional activity, while the project is viable. This “cohabitation” of projects will last a little more than a year, a period as complicated as it is demanding, with finally the prospect of seeing this project materialize.

Their personal contribution was limited to 5000 €, in order to limit the risks if it did not work. However, the investment for drones was more than €30,000. A sum that Patrice invested, using his personal savings as well as the money of the endowments following the prizes of the various competitions won. He then left his company, and embarked completely on the development of the project initiated with Lilian.

Drone agricole Reflet du Monde
Reflet du Monde designs drones for agriculture. Photography Reflection of the World

Initially, many people find it difficult to understand the concept of the company. Quickly, companies are created in this sector… But the business model is such that these competitors actually become customers.

Reflet du Monde, a project with solid foundations

Very quickly PRDML is available in several commercial brands. First of all, Patrice and Lilian embarked on R&D and service delivery, as well as training in remote piloting of drones. This allows them to pool machines, while meeting customer needs. But the needs are diversifying, and the demand to buy drones is there. The two entrepreneurs then embarked on the creation of the sales brand.

Today, the group has five sub-brands: Reflet du Monde, Aerial shop, Agrodrone, Banque video aerienne and Drone design, each with its own specialty. With all these services, prdml meets all demands, covering the full spectrum of business needs. In particular, it became the first drone remote piloting training center in New Aquitaine, with the Gironde center. Patrice and Lilian continued this momentum with a deployment in the Centre region, then on a national scale. The market is receptive to it, and has experienced impressive growth.

The choices made have borne fruit, since in the face of the development of the market, PRDML survives against companies that close as and when. Their thirst for development does not stop, with the many projects to be set up around the drone. A slow progress, but assured, to succeed in establishing itself durably.

“Our services are like the four legs of a chair we sit on. They must be very stable so that we do not fall.”

PRDML – Reflet du Monde, a progression impacted by COVID-19

After the successful start of their business, Patrice and Lilian want to invest their own offices to work with all the necessary space. They then built 450m² offices with a physical shop to sell their products. Everything was going perfectly, until the beginning of the pandemic, and the first lockdown. PRDML could not continue the fixed-term contracts of its employees, and the two founders found themselves alone, with their large empty premises.

During this period, Patrice and Lilian then moved all their equipment, equipped their premises, and this health crisis was finally a good thing in some aspects. But the impact of the pandemic is still being felt. After a turnover of €760,000 in 2019, the company received only €500,000 in 2020, with a consequent loss of equity.

Drone vol agriculture
The drone is a solution for many industries. Photography Reflection of the World

Ambitions for the future at PRDML – Reflet du Monde

However, 2021 marked the recovery, and allowed them to return to economic equilibrium. They also plan to continue, and to carry out in 2022 a fundraising to accelerate their activity with AgroDrone, to sow green manure in the fields with drones. A considerable time saving for farmers, without damaging the farms.

They also aim to expand their team by hiring 3 new salespeople, as well as 3 technicians. Their drone fleet should also grow, to count 8 to 10 agricultural drones. This development ambition also corresponds to the arrival of a new partner, who was also part of Technowest.

As far as training is concerned, Patrice and Lilian plan to continue to develop their catalogue of cities, and even to turn to the Overseas Territories. At the same time, R&D focuses on calls for expressions of interest for the realization of futuristic drones. Drones that will be used for defense. Being their own investors, the two entrepreneurs want to continue to move forward cautiously, controlling the risks.

The drone, a tool that has become indispensable

In agriculture, the drone is becoming indispensable. It makes it possible to monitor the condition of buildings in the construction industry, or to capture the behavior of animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Less polluting, faster, and safer, the drone replaces man in all difficult and dangerous tasks.

Once perceived as futuristic, the drone is now a very fast means of transport for blood bags. It replaces pyrotechnic shows, and allows aerial shots for many shows and films. Patrice and Lilian notably trained a cameraman for the show “Koh Lanta”, and have themselves made drone framing for the series “Baron Noir”, their trainers have worked for “Versailles”, or for the show “Love is in the Meadow”…

Today, PRDML works with 20 to 30 external stakeholders, specialists in their profession. They also pass on their passion to customers, and this is an integral part of the company’s image. A success that is not about to land…

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