Sylvain Bourdin (1884-1950)
Bourdin et Chaussé
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A native of the Anjou region, Sylvain Bourdin studied law before taking over a steamroller company in Angers. A shrewd businessman, he showed little interest for technology but his business acumen and close ties with many Ponts et Chaussé engineers were enough to establish his company's reputation. In 1928, he teamed up with the more technically minded and pragmatic Louis Chaussé. The roadworks company they founded, Bourdin et Chaussé, gradually became a leader in France.