Vergez Blanchard: two centuries of professional leather hand tools
Vergez Blanchard: two centuries of professional leather hand tools
Professional leather hand tools made in France since 1823
Main customers: HERMES... and other hand-sewn and customized works of Fubao Crocodile Workshop, all made with Blanchard hand tools
VERGEZ BLANCHARD TWO CENTURIES OF HISTORY
The history of Vergez Blanchard tools begins in 1823, when knifemaker Louis René BLANCHARD opened his own studio at 37 rue des Gravilliers in Paris. The workshop develops and diversifies its leather tools, always striving for quality and excellence.
Blanchard tools won 7 gold and silver medals at the Antwerp World's Fair 1885-1900, World's Fairs and various exhibitions in European capitals.
In 1901, company partner Adrien Soubeyran, polytechnic and mining engineer (circled in the photo) moved the machine tools from Paris to Normandy in Romilly-sur-Andre. The decision, initially prompted by the noise pollution and fumes generated by the workshop, will allow for the workshop to be expanded as well as the use of hydraulic energy. The tail factory was installed in an old copper foundry on the banks of the Indre River and near the railway line to Paris.
Louis Hippolyte Simonin (also known as Blanchard) acquired the Vergez Company, a small Paris-based workshop, in 1910. The Blanchard company was renamed Vergez Blanchard, and its branch in Paris allowed it to maintain influence among the capital's luxury craftsmen.
History of Vergez Blanchard
Two Centuries of History The history of Vergez Blanchard tools begins in 1823, when Monsieur Louis-Rene Blanchard, a knifemaker, opened his workshop at 37 rue Gravilliers in Paris. The studio continues to develop and diversify its range of tools, always striving for excellence.
Blanchard Tools won 7 gold and silver medals at different exhibitions in major European cities, including the Antwerp World's Fair and the World's Fair of 1885-1900.
In 1901, company partner Adrien Soubilan (circled in the photo), a polytechnic and mining engineer, moved his machine tools from Paris to Romilly-sur-Indre in Normandy. The decision was initially made to address issues of noise and smoke pollution generated by the studio, which would allow it to be expanded while utilizing hydro-powered energy. The cutting workshop is located in an old copper foundry on the banks of the Indre River, close to the railway line to Paris.
In 1910, Louis Hippolyte Simonin (also known as Blanchard) acquired the Vergez company in Paris, a small studio. Blanchard & Co. became Vergez Blanchard, and the Paris premises allowed it to remain influential among the capital's luxury craftsmen.
Today, after almost 200 years of existence, the Vergez Blanchard company still manufactures tools and has become a brand recognized and loved by craftsmen.