04.08.2025

Jean-Paul Cayon 1958-2025

We have received the sad news that Jean-Paul Cayon, the third generation president of French crane and haulage group Groupe Cayon, has died.

He passed away on Monday July 28th at the age of 66, and leaves behind his wife Brigitte, daughters Anne-Sophie and Matilde along with his son, Julien who is already working in the company will take up the baton as the fourth generation of the family to run the company.

Jean-Paul Cayon Joined the family business in 1985, having gained experience elsewhere and developed a passion for the equipment, especially heavy transport and lifting, he took over the running of the business as a whole in 1992, and within a few years set off on the acquisition trail, including Millon, G. Belin, Herbrich, Desormière, and Mielly. He also established an Italian branch in Rome in 1998.

The original Cayon company was established in 1925 by his grandfather, Georges François Cayon when he acquired a single truck in Chalon-sur-Saône to transport stone, while also taking on any other work available, including home removals. The business was effectively shut down in 1940 when its fleet was requisitioned by the state.

Georges Cayon junior - Jean Paul's father - relaunched the transport business in 1955, and became involved with cranes and lifting in 1965, around the same time as the company began offering heavy haulage services.

The Cayon group is still based in the town of Chalon-sur-Saône and now offers a wide range of transport, industrial moving, handling and lift services from eight locations, with over 25 cranes - with capacities from 35 to 400 tonnes, along with aerial work platforms and transport - within a total fleet over 1,450 units with 700 employees.

Those who knew him well, say that Jean-Paul was decent, decisive, hardworking and honest with an open, warm hearted, disarming and friendly personality”. From those early days before joining the family business full time, he developed a passion for engines and anything mechanical. We also understand that he had a keen interest in racing and rallying, including cars and trucks. His funeral was held on Friday.