New know-how in the Vosges industrial basin: Orest Group and the luxury giant LVMH (also owner of the Les Echos-Le Parisien group) inaugurated a jewelry factory in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges on Wednesday.
It will gain momentum with the Tiffany & Co brand.
In the modern building built to house the factory, a “training dojo” is the entry point for all new employees, mainly temporary workers, to train for a position for six weeks.
Several lines bring together positions allowing employees to carry out the precise movements of jewelry: setting, when the craftsman affixes precious stones or diamonds;
polishing or even welding.
The group, which presents itself as the “French leader in jewelry manufacturing”, was already established in Erstein in Alsace, but found itself cramped in its premises in the face of “increasing” demands.
A dynamic which continues, according to Denis De Becker, president of Orest Group: “For 2024, the order book is more than saturated, we cannot take one more order”.
The factory now has 2,800 m² of highly secure premises, according to L'Usine nouvelle.
“Some 7,000 diamonds are set every day in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges,” explains Denis De Becker.
Next year, “50% of (Orest’s) workshop will be filled by Tiffany”
The world number one luxury brand LVMH announced in April 2023 that it had acquired a majority stake in the Platinum Invest group, which includes Orest Group.
The amount of the investment in manufacturing has not been communicated.
But it makes it possible in particular to “strengthen Tiffany’s production capacities in France”, according to Alexandre Arnault, executive vice-president of products, communications and industrial at Tiffany.
Next year, “50% of the (Orest) workshop will be filled by Tiffany,” said Bernard Arnault.
For the moment, production carried out for Tiffany & Co represents around 20%.
Orest Group was created in 1963 in Alsace.
It is now a subcontractor for major luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and Dior.
The company currently has 200 employees and recruits “around ten” new employees per month, to reach a target of 300 employees in December.
The challenge is to “train and retain the loyalty of these craftsmen who will produce these exceptional pieces”, indicated Denis De Becker.
Read alsoIn the Vosges, these former employees in automobile subcontracting were able to retrain in the jewelry industry
The MP for Saint-Dié, David Valence rejoices on the social network
There will be 300 in 6 months.
The Vosges are a land of industry!
»
Alongside Alexandre Arnault
today to inaugurate the Orest factory
in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges!
The jeweler's project (Denis de Becker)
dates from 2020. 4 years later,
200 employees work on the site.
There will be 300 in 6 months.
The Vosges are a land of industry!
pic.twitter.com/yRMmZkcr6M
— David Valence (@david_valence) March 6, 2024
Sales in France of watches and precious jewelry increased in 2023 by 6%, a slower rate than the previous year, according to a report released Tuesday by the French watchmaking and jewelry industry.
In 2023, Orest Group achieved a turnover of 130 million euros.