# Companies with in-house R&D headquartered in the Nord department

Tamtam tracks 237 companies with in-house R&D headquartered in the Nord department. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by DECATHLON FRANCE, University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology and CHU de Lille. Their median headcount is 490. Half of them were founded in 1947 or later. The most common headquarters are Lille (10), Wasquehal (3) and Marcq-en-Barœul (2).

The companies in Nord with in-house R&D are primarily large organizations, including several higher education institutions and healthcare providers. Key players include DECATHLON FRANCE, a global sports retailer, and CHU de Lille, a major hospital-university campus. Other significant entities are Decathlon Digital, specializing in software solutions, and Exotec, which designs robotic systems for warehouses.

Many of these organizations are headquartered in Lille, such as the University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology and Université catholique de Lille. There is also a strong presence of companies in the healthcare and education sectors, indicating a regional focus on these areas. The founding dates range from the 19th century to more recent years, with several established in the mid-20th century.

🇫🇷 Nord · 30 companies · Updated Nov 12, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [DECATHLON FRANCE](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/decathlon-france) (recrutement.decathlon.fr)<br>A global sports retailer offering affordable world-class products for beginners to professionals, making sports accessible worldwide | Sporting Goods Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Villeneuve-d'Ascq | 27,349 | 1976 |
| 2 | [University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-lille-1-sciences-and-technology) (univ-lille.fr)<br>Public university specializing in science and technology education, research, and innovation, offering diverse programs and fostering academic excellence. | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 8,043 | 1864 |
| 3 | [CHU de Lille](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/chu-de-lille) (chu-lille.fr)<br>A leading hospital-university campus in northern Europe, specializing in healthcare, research, innovation, and sustainability with over 15,000 professionals and 14 million patients yearly | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇫🇷 Lille | 5,567 |  |
| 4 | [Université catholique de Lille](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universite-catholique-de-lille) (univ-catholille.fr)<br>An innovative university offering a wide range of programs focusing on teaching, research, and societal service, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and internationalization | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 1,720 | 1875 |
| 5 | [Valenciennes's General Hospital](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/valenciennes-s-general-hospital) (ch-valenciennes.fr)<br>Provides extensive healthcare services with nearly 2000 beds, serving as a key regional hospital and referral center for 800,000 residents. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇫🇷 Valenciennes | 1,655 |  |
| 6 | [Decathlon Digital](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/decathlon-digital) (decathlon.fr)<br>Designing innovative software, data, security, and robotics solutions for a seamless, secure ecosystem of sports products and services to empower sports lovers and athletes. | Software Development | 🇫🇷 Croix | 1,488 | 2018 |
| 7 | [Damart](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/damart) (damart.fr)<br>French textile and apparel company, designs clothing for well-being, comfort, and style, primarily for individuals aged 55 and over, using intelligent textiles. | Retail | 🇫🇷 Roubaix | 1,227 | 1953 |
| 8 | [Exotec](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/exotec) (exotec.com)<br>Designs and supplies integrated hardware and software robotic systems for warehouses, enhancing efficiency, resilience, and operator conditions. | Robotics Engineering | 🇫🇷 Wasquehal | 1,122 | 2015 |
| 9 | [Macopharma](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/macopharma) (macopharma.com)<br>Provides innovative, safe blood transfusion products and services for collecting, processing, and storing blood components, supporting life and sustainable development. | Medical Equipment Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Tourcoing | 956 | 1977 |
| 10 | [JEUMONT Electric](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/jeumont-electric) (jeumontelectric.com)<br>A major player in the electricity production and conversion market, manufacturing alternators and specific electric motors for various applications with industrial expertise | Industrial Machinery Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Jeumont | 646 | 1900 |
| 11 | [Santélys](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/santelys) (santelys.fr)<br>A non-profit organization specializing in healthcare, home care, and training Providing solutions for patients with chronic illnesses and offering healthcare education and research | Home Health Care Services | 🇫🇷 Loos | 589 | 1900 |
| 12 | [Dewavrin Cosmetics](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/dewavrin-cosmetics) (dewavrin.com)<br>French industrial group specializing in health and beauty, focusing on innovation, customer service, employee well-being, and entrepreneurship. | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Wasquehal | 587 | 1842 |
| 13 | [Centre Oscar Lambret](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/centre-oscar-lambret) (centreoscarlambret.fr)<br>Specialized cancer treatment, research, and education center with multidisciplinary professionals dedicated to improving patient outcomes and advancing oncology knowledge. | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇫🇷 Lille | 561 | 1955 |
| 14 | [Junia_ingénieurs](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/junia-ingenieurs) (junia.com)<br>Engineering school providing rigorous, human-centered education and applied research to prepare students for industrial, digital, and environmental challenges. | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 540 | 1885 |
| 15 | [IMT Nord Europe](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/imt-nord-europe) (imt-nord-europe.fr)<br>Collaboration between Mines Douai and Télécom Lille created IMT Lille Douai, the largest engineering school in northern France, focusing on research and education in various fields including Big Data, cybersecurity, 3D printing, energy, and environment | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Villeneuve-d'Ascq | 490 | 2017 |
| 16 | [Bigben Interactive](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bigben-interactive) (bigben.eu)<br>Design development and sale of gaming products mobile accessories and audio equipment with global distribution and in-house game development studios. | Wholesale | 🇫🇷 Fretin | 481 | 1981 |
| 17 | [Ankama](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ankama) (ankama.com)<br>A French game company specializing in transmedia strategies, developing online games, console/mobile games, animations, publishing, merchandise, and toys for immersive experiences | Entertainment Providers | 🇫🇷 Roubaix | 478 | 2001 |
| 18 | [Fives ECL](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fives-ecl) (fivesgroup.com)<br>A global leader in aluminum smelter technology, offering high-quality equipment, solutions, and support through every stage of projects worldwide | Industrial Machinery Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Ronchin | 470 | 1947 |
| 19 | [Sciences Po Lille](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/sciences-po-lille) (sciencespo-lille.eu)<br>Teaches students social sciences and politics through a five-year curriculum, granting a Master's degree. One of nine French Political Studies Institutes. | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 416 | 1991 |
| 20 | [VPK Packaging France](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/vpk-packaging-france) (vpkgroup.com)<br>Integrated European group producing paper, corrugated, and compact cardboard packaging. Controls entire manufacturing chain, enabling reactivity, meeting deadlines, and competitive technical solutions. | Paper and Forest Product Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Lille | 411 | 1919 |
| 21 | [Gnosis by Lesaffre](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/gnosis-by-lesaffre) (gnosisbylesaffre.com)<br>Develops innovative health products using microorganisms to improve human health, partnering with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical brands for sustainable solutions. | Biotechnology Research | 🇫🇷 Marcq-en-Barœul | 404 |  |
| 22 | [Institut Pasteur de Lille](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institut-pasteur-de-lille) (pasteur-lille.fr)<br>A foundation focusing on fundamental research and prevention in infectious diseases, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases to improve health and longevity | Research Services | 🇫🇷 Lille | 383 | 1894 |
| 23 | [HEI - Hautes Etudes d'Ingénieur](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hei-hautes-etudes-d-ingenieur) (junia.com)<br>This company specializes in professional training across 13 domains including architecture, mechanical design, healthcare engineering, IT, and sustainable chemistry | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 362 | 1885 |
| 24 | [Rabot Dutilleul Construction](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rabot-dutilleul-construction) (rabotdutilleul.com)<br>Specializes in new construction and rehabilitation across residential, healthcare, industry, and public sectors with strong engineering and sustainable practices. | Construction | 🇫🇷 Wasquehal | 361 | 1920 |
| 25 | [SASA](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/sasa) (sasa-industrie.com)<br>Provides furniture and customized solutions for bakery and pastry markets, focusing on technology, innovation, and customer satisfaction. | Retail | 🇫🇷 Le Cateau-Cambrésis | 349 | 1978 |
| 26 | [Institut Catholique de Lille](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institut-catholique-de-lille) (univ-catholille.fr)<br>Higher education institution with 13 establishments, research activities, and healthcare services including hospitals and medico-social centers across multiple campuses. | Higher Education | 🇫🇷 Lille | 343 | 1875 |
| 27 | [Laboratoires Anios](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/laboratoires-anios) (anios.com)<br>A global leader in professional disinfection and hygiene, with strong growth and expertise in fighting microbes through specialized teams and resources | Chemical Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Lezennes | 319 | 1898 |
| 28 | [CMD Gears](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/cmd-gears) (cmdgears.com)<br>Design production installation maintenance of high torque low speed gear drives for energy steel sugar cement mining rubber industries worldwide. | Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering | 🇫🇷 Cambrai | 280 | 1901 |
| 29 | [SARBEC COSMETICS](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/sarbec-cosmetics) (groupe-vabel.com)<br>Designs manufactures and sells a wide range of cosmetics perfumes and wipes with focus on safety and innovation worldwide. | Personal Care Product Manufacturing | 🇫🇷 Neuville-en-Ferrain | 258 | 1966 |
| 30 | [Groupe HOLDER](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/groupe-holder) (groupeholder.com)<br>Operates bakery and restaurant chains like PAUL, PAUL LE CAFE, and provides B2B bakery expertise to other food businesses. | Retail | 🇫🇷 Marcq-en-Barœul | 241 |  |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

## More company lists in the Nord department

- [The largest companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-nord) (2,806)
- [Multinational companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-nord) (332)
- [Retail chains in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-nord) (268)
- [Manufacturers in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/manufacturers-nord) (204)
- [Professional services firms in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/professional-services-firms-nord) (178)
- [IT services companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-companies-nord) (170)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-nord) (169)
- [SaaS companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/saas-companies-nord) (163)
- [Family-owned companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/family-owned-companies-nord) (156)
- [Software Development companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/software-development-companies-nord) (141)
- [Public sector organisations in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/public-sector-organisations-nord) (135)
- [Distributors and wholesalers in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/distributors-and-wholesalers-nord) (133)
- [Hardware manufacturers in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hardware-companies-nord) (124)
- [Consulting firms in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/consulting-firms-nord) (115)
- [Retail companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-companies-nord) (108)
- [Education providers in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-companies-nord) (103)
- [Real Estate companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/real-estate-companies-nord) (92)
- [Critical infrastructure operators in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/critical-infrastructure-operators-nord) (87)
- [Companies with a mobile app in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-nord) (83)
- [Healthcare providers in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/healthcare-providers-nord) (82)
- [E-commerce companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-nord) (81)
- [Financial services firms in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-nord) (81)
- [Business Consulting and Services companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/business-consulting-and-services-companies-nord) (81)
- [Advertising Services companies in the Nord department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/advertising-services-companies-nord) (68)

## The same list elsewhere in France

- [Companies with in-house R&D in France](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-france) (8,749)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Île-de-France](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-ile-de-france) (2,695)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-auvergne-rhone-alpes) (1,460)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Occitanie](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-occitanie) (680)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Grand Est](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-grand-est) (640)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-provence-alpes-cote-dazur) (612)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Nouvelle-Aquitaine](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-nouvelle-aquitaine) (566)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Hauts-de-Seine department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-hauts-de-seine) (510)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Rhône department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-rhone) (509)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Pays de la Loire](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-pays-de-la-loire) (480)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Hauts-de-France](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-hauts-de-france) (410)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Brittany](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-brittany) (366)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Haute-Garonne department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-haute-garonne) (323)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Bouches-du-Rhône department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-bouches-du-rhone) (320)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Isère department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-isere) (304)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-bourgogne-franche-comte) (261)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Normandy](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-normandy) (227)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Gironde department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-gironde) (225)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Loire-Atlantique department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-loire-atlantique) (207)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Essonne department](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-essonne) (198)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Centre-Val de Loire](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-centre-val-de-loire) (195)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Paris](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-paris) (1,249)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Lyon](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-lyon) (192)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Toulouse](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-toulouse) (172)

## The same list elsewhere

- [Companies with in-house R&D in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-in-the-world) (34,346)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Europe](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-in-europe) (20,169)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-nord