A regionally integrated artisanal model
Ever since the house was established in 1837, Hermès has always sought to preserve the artisanal dimension of its manufacturing, which is a source of durability, creativity, agility and innovation.
The Maroquinerie de Guyenne, Hermès’ first production site in the French department of Gironde, perpetuates the house’s artisanal and human culture as well as its spirit of passing on Hermès’ exceptional know-how. In order to promote training, mentoring and support, nearly one-third of its employees have come from other Group sites or other métiers within the house.
With this new leather workshop, Hermès is strengthening its role as a socially responsible company, creating jobs of excellence and reaffirming its intention to make a sustainable contribution to the region’s development.
Training for a skilled profession
Deeply attached to building long-term relations with all local partners, Hermès implements a recruitment and training strategy in close collaboration with the Pôle Emploi employment service, the Greta adult education service and the Charles Péguy high school in Eysines.The learning of a craft, a training sanctioned by a national diploma in leatherwork (CAP Maroquinerie), combined with the versatility and employability, all ensure the creation of high-quality and long-lasting jobs. At the manufacture, the cutting and table work métiers are developed with the aim of fostering multiple skills in these two areas of know-how.
Social and environmental commitments
Designed by Bayonne-based architect Patrick Arotcharen, whose work is profoundly influenced by the relationship between nature, climate and architecture, the Maroquinerie de Guyenne – a 140-metre-long building in wood and concrete – meets the house’s sustainable development criteria and expresses its commitment to “making beautiful things in beautiful places”. The eight ateliers that house the artisans are all bathed in natural northern light, which is the most conducive to the precise execution of artisanal gestures.
By rehabilitating a 5.6-hectare former backfill storage site, Hermès is contributing to the region’s development while promoting biodiversity. More than one hundred trees have been planted, helping to completely re-green the site to create an inviting garden for employees to enjoy. In order to manage energy consumption, the site is equipped with 2,250 m2 of solar panels, which supply over 40% of electricity consumed, supplemented by all-LED lighting. The site is also equipped with a rainwater recovery system that is used for sanitation facilities and to water the green spaces.
Since 2010, Hermès has opened nine leather workshops in France, bringing the number of saddler-leatherworkers employed by the group to more than 4,000.
Three other new leather workshops are in the pipeline, located in Louviers (Eure), Tournes (Ardennes) and Riom (Puy-de Dôme), for which recruitment and training are ongoing.