More than just decorative objects, the exceptional pieces manufactured here are an integral part of French heritage. Once in danger because of a substantial debt, one of the oldest factories in the country is breathing again thanks to a massive outpouring of solidarity.
This is the kind of outcome that warms the hearts of heritage lovers and other defenders of “made in France”. Imagine a centuries-old institution, guardian of unique know-how in the world, suddenly threatened following its placement in receivership. Since September 2024, worry has hovered over its workshops: a debt of more than a million euros threatened to extinguish the ovens of this prestigious house.
Fortunately, the story didn’t end there. Faced with adversity, an extraordinary surge of solidarity was organized. It is not only a company that the French wanted to save, but a fragment of our artisanal identity. Within the walls of the factory, the 34 employees held their breath, mostly supporting the vision of their current manager to avoid dismantling.
The rescue is almost an industrial miracle. To redress the situation, a bold strategy was deployed, articulated like the layers of fine earthenware. On the one hand, the call to local entrepreneurs, on the other, the creation of a society of friends of the factory. But it was especially the crowdfunding that made an impression, raising more than a million euros thanks to the generosity of thousands of anonymous contributors. The pressure was immense, especially since prestigious names, such as the George family – Lorraine’s first fortune – or the Bauduin sisters, were in the running for a takeover. But loyalty paid off.
At the end of February, the Val de Briey commercial court ruled by validating the continuation plan of Martin Pietri, current owner. The sentence is liberating: the Émaux de Longwy factory is officially saved. The artisans will now have to honor the promises made to donors: the manufacture of 6,000 turtles and 1,000 ceramic owls, symbols of this unexpected rebirth.
Now closely monitored for ten years, the institution can finally look to the future. The champagne, which had remained cool, was finally able to be uncorked in the workshops of Meurthe-et-Moselle. Long live Longwy!
