While Hermès continues to build new leather goods factories, Chanel is acquiring its suppliers. In a decidedly “discreet” manner, Chanel has acquired five leather goods manufacturers in France since March. The maison was contacted by Glitz, which revealed the transactions, and confirmed all the acquisitions, specifying that the companies will continue to work with all of their clients — not only Chanel.
Chanel’s “discreet” strategy
As reconstructed by Glitz, over recent months Chanel has acquired five leather goods manufacturers that were already working as subcontractors for the brand. All belonged to entrepreneur Bruno Joyerot through the holding company Yeraz. The first acquisition dates back to 18 March, when Chanel took over Société de Maroquinerie du Berry, located in the Indre department and employing more than 300 people. On the same date, Chanel also acquired Manufacture des Trois Provinces (formerly Ateliers Nantais de Maroquinerie) in Nantes, which employs more than 550 people.
The third acquisition takes us to Paris, where Chanel acquired the historic workshop Edgard Hamon, founded in 1919. A century later, the atelier had passed to Mada Group and was renamed Maison Hamon. It specialises in the production of accessories, particularly belts. For a brief period, it was also owned by Gucci. At the same Paris address was also based trunk and small leather goods manufacturer Maltier le Malletier, likewise owned by Joyerot and acquired by Chanel in mid-March. Finally, the latest Parisian acquisition concerns Monot, a workshop specialising in small leather goods and metal accessories.
Five French suppliers acquired
Among the clients of these production sites now under Chanel’s control are several luxury companies, including — unsurprisingly — LVMH and its flagship brand Louis Vuitton. As mentioned, Chanel confirmed the transactions, which further strengthened and expanded the maison’s production chain, while continuing to communicate and promote the value of artisanal workshops. If Hermès builds a new leather goods factory in France every year (while most of its footwear is produced in Italy), Chanel has chosen a different route. Rather than building new facilities, it acquires its subcontractors and integrates them directly into its manufacturing network.
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