We’re globalising rapidly in these times of uncertainty,” says Marc Sayer, president of GM Collin. “There’s been a revitalisation of our brand recently and we’re actively looking for new distributors for our products throughout Europe and Asia.
“We see a growing demand for medi-spas globally and this has been amplified by the pandemic. Consumers want effective results from professional dermo-cosmetic brands, such as GM Collin, that they can’t get in the mass market.
“We want to expand our networks and our sales significantly during 2021 and into 2022 and we’re inviting Spa Business readers to get in touch via export@gmcollin.com if this business opportunity is of interest to them,” he continues.
“We’ll also be at Cosmoprof Bologna in September with our senior director of export, Dany Brind d’Amour,” says Sayer, “So we’re inviting potential distributors to come along for a meeting at the event.
“We have a very hands-on approach with our distributors. Our aim is to help them grow so we can grow along with them. We work hard to be a strong partner, producing creative gifting offers to drive sales, as well as offering business support, point of sale materials and effective training.”
A strong legacy
GM Collin was founded in 1957 by Dr Eugene Lapinet, a French dermatologist who pioneered the use of collagen on burn victims, achieving extraordinary results.
He and his wife – renowned aesthetician, Monique Moreau – founded the company with the purpose of creating high-performance clinical treatments for skincare professionals. Many of the products they developed are still available today, having undergone improvements to their formulations using new technologies.
The Canadian connection
For many years there were two different companies producing the same GM Collin product line across 40 countries – Labs Dermo-Cosmetics, founded by Sayer and based in Canada and the original company in France, with both contributing to its success.
The French company eventually rebranded as Result Time and refocused its energies on different markets, leaving the way open for Sayer and his son and daughter, George and Myriam Sayer, to relaunch the GM Collin brand globally. “Both brands value the use of collagen,” says Sayer, “however, the companies have diverged now and so we’re planning to ramp up the distribution of GM Collin, with a fresh impetus, from our base in Canada.
“Our goal has always been the same,” he says, “To ensure the best skincare results for every skin type and every skin condition and to develop trustworthy partnerships with skincare professionals.
“In addition, our mission is to give everyone the opportunity to discover their unique beauty and absolute self-confidence, by developing superior skincare products which achieve unrivalled results for all skin types and concerns.”
A passion for skincare
“Since the beginning, the development of GM Collin products has followed a philosophy of continuous improvement, based on the work of our Clinical Evaluation department,” says Sayer.
“This sees dermatologists, biologists and experienced skincare professionals evaluating and measuring the performance of each formula to ensure each delivers the best results.”
Montreal is the ideal location from which to conduct these studies, he explains, saying: “The efficacy of each product is confirmed by rigorous clinical studies, conducted from a pool of thousands of volunteers and we’re very lucky to be able to do this from our own labs.
“Montreal is a very diverse city, which allows us to have volunteers from all skin types and skin ethnicities – in all types of weather, due to the variation of seasons – so our teams of scientists is able to conduct hundreds of studies to develop new products.
“Every year we develop new lines to cover our clients’ needs and capture the latest innovations. In 2020, for example, we launched eight new products.
“Many factors are taken into consideration, such as the lifting effect, reduction of skin redness, decrease of pore appearance, reduction of wrinkles, as well as other elements related to a healthy skin. Studies employ high-tech methods and sophisticated instruments such as imaging, profilometry and colorimetry, to name but a few,” explains Sayer.
“Authenticity is essential for us,” he says, “We always ensure products deliver on their promise. During development, results must surpass the benchmark established, otherwise we delay the launch and go back to re-formulating.”
GM Collin in-spa
So how has the spa market viewed GM Collin over the many decades since the brand launched?
“Millions of GM Collin clinical treatments have been performed by our skincare professionals and have proven their effectiveness and results,” says Sayer. “Our unique treatments achieve instant, noticeable and lasting effects, while also providing a relaxing and peaceful experience for spa guests.
“We offer our spa partners a 360° support programme, delivered by a team of dedicated, passionate professionals whom we place at their disposal to support all their business development needs, every step of the way,” he explains.
“This programme includes training and development support, as well as personalised training programmes to help our spa partners prescribe products and treatments that meet the specific needs of their clients.
“Treatments come in a pre-dosed format, which simplifies the protocol for aestheticians, as the quantities are pre-measured, and they simply need to follow the steps,” he says. “This also allows for a standardised treatment to be delivered every time as part of a spa’s quality control process.
“In 30 years, our brand has proven to be one of the most profitable in the industry for our spa and wellness partners,” says Sayer. “We also have excellent repeat sales on treatments and homecare, which makes us a partner of choice if spas want to create a loyalty clientele and have sustainable business growth.
“We hope you like what you’ve heard about the brand,” he concludes. “Please reach out to find out more about our partnership opportunities for distributorships and spa supplies at export@gmcollin.com