GLLU designs and makes 100% Norman, sleek and sustainable furniture in Malaunay, near Rouen. The Normandy Economy Awards, organised by AD Normandie, put the business in the spotlight for its “Made in Normandie” category. Let’s find out more.
Explore Gllu’s lovingly-made wooden furniture
9 people put their experience and craftsmanship into the Malaunay workshop to take the Seine-Maritime brand beyond its Normandy borders. “We want to celebrate and update artisan expertise in our region. We’re like our ancestors; we’re conquerors!”
Countless customers and retailers have been won over by the simple, efficient yet inspiring pieces and furniture made in small series. Gllu flies the flag for Normandy in 100 French concept stores and 20 European shops.
Nothing beats Normandy!
Craftsmanship and quality to be proud of: “We’ve even put “pensé & fabriqué en Normandie” (designed and made in Normandy) on all our packaging and marketing. Its our trademark. Our customers and the retailers we work with instantly associate us with Normandy.”
There’s no greenwashing here. Where does the wood come from? Forests within a 30km radius. “We buy the wood from the Normandie Bois sawmill, 15km from the workshop.” The sturdy and stylish furniture is made using solid oak and chestnut wood. Even the brand name celebrates Normandy: “Gllu” means “rye” in local dialect. “The same rye straw used on thatched roofs in our region,” says Baptiste. The Made in Normandie prize it won at the Normandy Economy Awards in 2023 provides welcome support to fuel the brand’s creativity and collaborations: “we want to expand the collection with new items and collaborations, preferably with Normandy craftsmen and brands.” The start-up has earned substantial support in the form of a 25,000 EUR “impulsion-export” grant from AD Normandie.
Eco-friendly and durable
Not only does Gllu work with quality raw materials to make its products (solid wood from Normandy or brass), but it also produces classic designs that withstand the test of time. The team uses premium materials to make products built to last. “We also use as little plastic as possible; the stands and packaging are in cardboard, the sleeves are in fabric, plus we use kraft paper packing tape and brown paper bags.” Baptiste and the team want to control every part of their work and cut out the middle man as much as possible. That means longer-lasting and more affordable craftsmanship. Their work has been recognised by accreditation bodies: Eco-Défis* and Eco-impact*.
**Eco-Défis® recognises companies that take action in 7 environmental areas: waste, packaging, energy, transport, water, products and social sustainability.
Eco-Impact measures the social and environmental impact of a business’s manufacturing procedures. The label uses a set of criteria to assess raw materials, production, assembly, distribution, use, end of life and social aspects.
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