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Expertise

Presentation

The Wichard Group is both an equipment manufacturer and a major industrial player in the manufacture of safety components.
Thanks to their nine brands working in synergy, all of which manufacture industrial components, the Wichard Group is a world leader in the sailing market (construction and distribution), as well as industrial markets.

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Brands renowned for their expertise

For the sailing market:
Wichard® Marine and Ronstan (maritime fittings, winches, tracks), Profurl® and Facnor® (furling systems), Lorima® and Axxon Composites (carbon masts), Sparcraft® (aluminium masts)

For industrial markets and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment):
Wichard Industrie (forged safety parts), Peguet - Maillon rapide® (metal connectors), Courant® (rope and rope accessory manufacturer) and Maillard (plastic injection)

Industrial expertise with the heart of a craftsman

With a deep respect for their artisan roots, each brand in the Group has been able to wield their expertise and become a top-level player in their own markets: sailing, aeronautics, automobile, medical, parachuting, lifting, slinging, working at height, and even rail.

Dedicated, expert teams

The various teams within the Wichard Group are renowned for their expertise in their individual fields, combined with a passion for their work and their environment.

Our CSR commitments

As an economic player, the Wichard Group has for several years been committed to a Corporate Social Responsibility policy that translates, for example, into French manufacturing, national or European sourcing of the materials used, eco-design of its products, implementation of measures to reduce its carbon footprint and the well-being of its employees.

International reach

Thanks to their two subsidiaries (Wichard USA and Wichard Australia) and their distribution network in more than 40 countries, the Wichard Group has become a truly international firm, meeting the needs of clients on five continents.

Our know-how

Design - New product development

Client feedback integration, CAD development, rapid prototyping

Forging

Manufacture of forged parts on the Wichard Group’s workshops in France. Complete control of the production chain: tooling, forging, tribofinishing, machining, and more.

Plastic injection

Full control of the plastic injection process, allowing us to design and develop tools.

Manufacture of carbon parts

Design and manufacture of carbon parts for the industrial and nautical markets.

Machining, assembly, bar turning and cutting

Full control of the machining, assembly, free-cutting, and sheet metal cutting on all types of material (stainless steel, aluminium).

Standing and Running Rigging – Assembly and Service

Manufacture of running and standing rigging for nautical professionals and specific markets such as architecture.

Rope and PPE Manufacturing

(Personal Protection Equipment) for professionals working at height (slinging, safety, interventions), and vertical work.

1
French Group
active in more than 40 countries

9
leading brands,
working together

+110
Million
in turnover

+650
Employees
worldwide

Brands

Expertise

Wichard is one of the leading brands for maritime fittings. Wichard products are made in France, and since 1919 have been synonymous with reliability, corrosion resistance, safety and quality. The Wichard brand has been ISO 9100 and 14001 certified.

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Australia-based Ronstan is renowned for its expertise in the design and manufacture of blocks, winches, track systems and other essential equipment for sailing, yachting and water sports. The company has a strong reputation for quality, innovation and performance

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Andersen Stainless Steel Winches® are made with the care and craftsmanship that come from more than sixty years of experience. The Danish-built winches are built to last, to retain their exceptional finish and to deliver season after season of reliable performance and sailing pleasure.

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A pioneer in the design and manufacture of roller furling solutions for boats, Profurl is internationally renowned for the quality and endurance of their products: manual furlers, motorised furlers, fluing sail furlers, stayfurlers and swivel locks.

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Since 1981, Facnor has been designing and manufacturing innovative sail furling systems for ocean racing craft and coastal and offshore cruisers.

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Since 1962, Sparcraft has been specialised in the design and manufacture of masts, booms, and rigging of the highest quality, making this brand a leader in the nautical industry.

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Lorima is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon masts for racing and cruising craft, as well as commercial vessels. Thanks to their expertise, Lorima has rolled out their products to a number of industrial markets, from automobiles and aeronautics to wind farms and more.

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AXXON Composites, leader in the cruising and racing sailboat segment under 70 feet, is specialized in the design and manufacturing of carbon masts using the most advanced technologies.

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Thanks to their unique expertise in stamp forging, Wichard has become a key industrial parts manufacturer for a number of sectors: automobile, aeronautics, medical, parachuting, and industrial supplies. Wichard Industrie products combine safety, quality, and the best possible performance. The Wichard Industrie brand has been ISO 9001, 9100 and 13485 certified.

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The inventor and manufacturer of the iconic Maillon Rapide® (“quick link”) system, Peguet has released three generations of this universal product. Designed in France, it comes in a wide range of shapes and materials, and is adapted for both the industrial and sporting markets.

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Since 1825, the Courant brand has been specialised in the manufacture of rope systems for a number of fields: tree pruners, rope workers, fire fighters, first responders, and even the military. Their ropes and PPE (personal protection equipment) are manufactured in France.

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A specialist in plastic injection and assembly, Maillard creates products for manufacturers and industrial groups. One of Wichard’s sub-contractors, they also manufacture pulleys and various industrial accessories.

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100 years of history

Creation of the Wichard Company by Henri Wichard, a specialist in stamp forging.

1919

Development of the sub-contracting business for industrial markets

From 1919 to the 1960’s

Development of the first range of marine fittings (shackles, carabiners)

End of the 1960’s

Creation of a second production site in the Felet zone in Thiers - installation of an automatic forging line

1972

Development of a titanium forge for medical prostheses

1978

_0016_6_1980 - Développement du réseau à l_international

Development of the international network

From the 1980’s

Opening of the American subsidiary, Wichard Inc

1992

Takeover of the Maillard Company in St Malo (plastic injection)

1994

Takeover of Profurl, specialist in the design and manufacture of roller furling

2002

Opening of the Australian subsidiary, Wichard Pacific - Takeover of the Simond brand - climbing equipment (sold to the Décathlon Group in 2008)

2003

Takeover of Forginox, a cutlery forge in Thiers.

2005

Installation of a high-speed machining platform for the creation of production tools, and awarded ISO 9001 certification.

2006

Awarded ISO 14001 certification

2012

Takeover of Facnor (roller furling), Sparcraft (masts, rigging) and Sparcraft Rigging

2013

Awarded ISO 9100 certification

2016

Takeover of Lorima (carbon masts) and Peguet (quick links)

2018

Wichard celebrates their centenary

2019

Takeover of Courant– FACNOR celebrates their 40th birthday.

2022

1919

From 1919 to the 1960’s

End of the 1960’s

1972

1978

From the 1980’s

1992

1994

2002

2003

2005

2006

2012

2013

2016

2018

2019

2022

In the world

7 locations in FRANCE

2 subsidiaries in the USA
2 subsidiaries in AUSTRALIA

The Wichard Group, a global presence

Thanks to their four subsidiaries and a distribution network spanning more than 40 countries, the Wichard Group is by your side to make your project a success.

Wichard

1, ZI de Felet
CS 50085 - 63307 Thiers, France Tel : +33 (0) 4 73 51 65 00

News

Discover the Wichard Group's expertise with our key statistics!

👉 Established in 1919, the Wichard Group today is a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of marine fittings and industrial hardware. With 650 employees, €110 million in sales, and a presence on every continent, all the brands within the Group are well-poised for a 2024 filled with new challenges and worldwide expansion. ✅

The Wichard Group wishes you a Happy New Year 2024!

We wish you all the best for this new year, and hope it lives up to your expectations!
For our part, 2023 was a year rich in projects and developments for the Group's various brands.
We're delighted to offer you a look back at the highlights of our subsidiaries, including the arrivals of Ronstan and Axxon, who joined the Group at the end of the year.

The adventures are just beginning, and we can't wait to share them with you in 2024!

The Wichard Group expands with the acquisition of Ronstan

The Wichard Group has acquired Australian equipment manufacturer Ronstan, strengthening its leading position in the leisure marine equipment and manufacturing markets.

With the acquisition of Ronstan, the Wichard Group now has over 550 employees worldwide. This acquisition is also an excellent opportunity to strengthen the group's position in its historic markets by offering a comprehensive product range. This already included aluminium and carbon masts, sail furlers, deck fittings, safety equipment and ropes. It will now include a range of winches, tracks, blocks and other accessories.

Boatshows 2023

Wichard Group will be present at several trade shows from September to January 2024.

Come meet our brands and discover our latest innovations.

Our schedule📆:

- Yachting Cannes Festival - September 12th to 17th / Booth: Sail 132
- Grand Pavois de La Rochelle - September 20th to 25th
- Annapolis Boat Show (USA) - October 12th to 15th, 2023
- METSTRADE Show (Netherlands) - November 15th to 17th / French Pavilion
- Boot Düsseldorf (Germany) - January 20th to 28th, 2024 / Hall 10

We look forward to seeing you there !

Soft mobility

At the Wichard Group, we value soft mobility on a daily basis.

Wichard marine has set up infrastructures for bicycles and electric recharging stations, helping to reduce the ecological footprint of each employee. For its part, Lorima encourages the use of cargo bikes for local business travel by its teams.

As an industry player, the Wichard Group is fully committed to improving soft mobility, demonstrating its commitment to the environment.

2023 Tour de France, The Wichard Group Entrepreneur's Maillot Jaune

The Wichard Group is in the spotlight on the Clermont- Moulins stage of the Tour de France.

This week, LCL has rewarded 8 innovative entrepreneurs in the heart of their region, in the first 8 towns along the #TourDeFrance route, by awarding them the #MaillotJauneDesEntrepreneurs!

Watch the interview with Jean-Claude Ibos, President of Groupe Wichard in this video HERE

Focus on Maillard on 24/04

Maillard, a company in the #WichardGroup, specialises in the injection moulding of plastic parts.

Focus on Maillard on 24/04

Maillard, a company in the #WichardGroup, specialises in the injection moulding of plastic parts.
Based in Saint-Malo for more than 40 years, Maillard is now a manufacturer recognised by both carmakers and industry as a subcontractor.
The company's technical and human resources enable it to deliver quality products made from top-quality materials within very tight deadlines.

New shareholder of #GroupeWichard from 24/03

Azulis Capital: a new shareholder in #GroupeWichard in association with the management team

New shareholder of #GroupeWichard from 24/03

Azulis Capital: a new shareholder in #GroupeWichard in association with the management team, with the ambition of further accelerating its development through organic growth and acquisitions.
Jean-claude Ibos, Chairman of the Group, comments: "We are delighted that Azulis and its co-investors have joined us. We are in phase with the implementation of a strategy that will enable us to continue to develop the Group to the satisfaction of our customers and employees. We want to continue to create value while remaining in line with the evolution of human and social values.

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