Hermès begins construction of twentieth leather goods workshop in France
Hermès will soon count 20 leather goods production sites in France. On Friday, the French luxury house announced that work has started on a new manufacturing site, which is scheduled to open its doors in 2022 and will accommodate up to 250 artisans in Louviers, Normandy. Hermès had already opened a site at Val-de-Reuil, in the Normandy region, in 2017.
"The proximity of the two Normandy-based factories will promote the transmission of saddlery and leatherwork culture between artisans, as well as the study of the unique Hermès know-how that is necessary for the production of bags and leather goods,” the brand announced in a press release.
“The site will also house a saddlery and bridle workshop which will complement the work carried out at the equestrian goods workshop at 24, rue du Faubourg in Saint-Honoré, Paris.”
In the brand’s previous quarterly financial results, Hermès, led by Axel Dumas, saw a 41% drop in its sales to €982 million ($1.2 billion) due to the closure of a large number of its stores and production units to follow measures put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic. With its new investment in leather goods, Hermès is sending out a message of confidence for the long-term, despite the current complex global health situation.
The business currently employs 3,800 saddlers and leatherworkers.
The focus on the industry is a strategic one, as leather goods sales represented 50% of the brand’s turnover in 2019, which totalled €6.883 billion.
Work on two leather goods production units in Guyenne, Gironde and Montereau, Seine-et-Marne will be finalised in 2021 and a 21st manufacturing site has already been announced, set to open in the Ardennes in 2023.
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