The inauguration of the Manufacture de la Sormonne in January 2023 marks a significant milestone for Hermès.
Located in the Ardennes, this leather goods factory covers an area of 11 hectares, with a 5,700 m² building dedicated to production.
The Manufacture de la Sormonne is an exceptional place where around 80 skilled craftsmen work.
They were carefully selected and trained for 18 months at the École Hermès des savoir-faire in the Ardennes leather goods centre.
This school, created by Hermès, aims to pass on and preserve the traditional craft skills specific to leather goods.
With this new factory, Hermès is strengthening its presence in the Ardennes region, thereby contributing to local economic development.
The brand continues to promote exceptional craftsmanship and French excellence by investing in modern facilities while preserving traditional skills.
Thanks to the installation of 1,900 m² of photovoltaic panels on the roof and the use of geothermal energy for heating, the complex, which has officially been awarded the E4C2 (positive energy building) label, should produce at least as much energy as it consumes.
In any case, it is part of a sustainable development approach that respects local biodiversity, since 4,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in the surrounding area.
“We attach a great deal of importance to not exceeding 250 to 260 craftsmen in our leather goods stores.
This allows us to maintain a family size where everyone knows everyone else and everyone is accessible. That’s why we preferred to create a second production site rather than expand the first.
And it was right to entrust the handing down of our know-how to the craftsmen and women of the Ardennes leather goods industry”, explained Emmanuel Pommier, Managing Director of the Saddlery and Leather Goods Division.
