Bresle Valley in Seine-Maritime has been known as the glass valley since the 15th century. It alone accounts for over 70% of the perfume bottles produced worldwide and keeps countless traditional trades alive. Let us introduce you to Waltersperger, a living heritage company and the last semi-automatic glass manufacturer in France.
Why Waltersperger’s location in Normandy is key to its glass manufacturing success
The Bresle Valley has been a strategic site since the Middle Ages. Lots of glass factories set up shop around the Bresle River for practical reasons, including access to raw materials i.e. firewood. “The region has held onto its glassmaking legacy even if wood no longer fuels the kilns. But an entire ecosystem sprang up around glassmakers over time,” says Stéphanie Tourres, director of Waltersperger. The ecosystem gets to work both before and after the process: making the equipment before and design after. “Normandy is also appealing from an industrial point of view: it’s near Paris, which is where most of our clients are based and they really appreciate how close we are.”
Waltersperger: over 100 years of glass manufacturing expertise in Normandy
Waltersperger has been making glass in Blangy-sur-Bresle since 1927. “It’s one of the last semi-automatic glass manufacturers in France,” says Stéphanie Tourres. Her husband’s family have lived in the region for generations. Their DNA and love of glass saw the Parisian take over the company 4 years ago. “Waltersperger originally manufactured moulds. A former owner actually designed the first semi-automatic machines and got involved in glass manufacturing.” Semi-automatic means semi-artisanal: “we’re somewhere between craftsmanship and industrialisation with glass workers crafting the glass by hand, with the help of machines and equipment.” Its crucial expertise (unique in France and rare in Europe) is what enables Waltersperger to make small series and bottles in all sizes.
International clients and the EPV Label
A real USP for countless Normandy glass clients, especially in the luxury sector. “We work for the biggest French groups exporting worldwide, such as LVMH and L’Oréal, and smaller brands around the world.” Perfume bottles, spirit decanters, home accessories and more. “We tend to produce commissions in small series for high-end clients,” the director says. From hot glass manufacturing and fusing to all the steps involved in cutting and polishing, its expertise has seen the business recognised as an EPV or Living Heritage Company. “The government label recognises how we keep traditional and specific expertise alive and adapt it to suit the modern world.” The award is much-appreciated among clients who want to promote an authentic image to their own customers.
Keeping expertise alive
The Normandy company is devoted to keeping its expertise alive through the generations. It trains new recruits on-site with the help of more experienced colleagues. Their work on the inside makes them shine on the outside. The company also has a corporate social responsibility policy. “Our CSR is fairly simple because we work locally: all our mould suppliers and designers are within a 30km radius and most of our raw materials come from France,” says Stéphanie Tourres. It’s a major asset for them, and for recruitment.
Recruitment
Surrounded by woodland and water, Normandy’s nature is the foundation of the glassmaking industry and yet another asset to add to Waltersperger’s appeal. With a new factory in Blangy and new creations in the pipeline, the company plans to increase its workforce in the short-term. Who are they looking for? “People who are interested in glass.” Plus electricians, technicians etc. “We have a fantastic reputation, but if we want to stay competitive then we have to keep up with the times, carry on upgrading our machinery and provide a range of services.” Whether it be hot or cold glass manufacturing, several people working at Waltersperger also train new recruits. That way they stay top of the “glass”!
Good to know
La Glass Vallée is the world’s biggest luxury glass bottle manufacturing hub, with over 65 companies and 7000 employees. The professional organisation unites companies involved in glass to help them thrive and promote their business.
The new Waltersperger site will be at La Gargatte business park in Blangy. The 3200m² site includes a 2500m² manufacturing area. The aim is to move all its existing trades and machinery as well as build a new kiln and two new production lines (currently there are 4). The move is scheduled for late 2023.
Thematics
