Strong Roots for the Future

Traveling to Ligne Roset’s main factory is a little like going to a family celebration, but I might add, one to which you are looking forward. The company has been shaped by the outstanding efforts of past generations, who in 160 years have built up a furniture-makers that is at home on the world’s markets. What’s more, Briord is located in breathtaking surroundings – with the river Rhone on one side and the foothills of the Bugey mountains on the other. Here, east of Lyon, Ligne Roset has its main headquarters here and the largest of six production plants.

It was Antoine Roset who laid the foundations for the company’s later success. He started off with a small firm making wooden umbrellas, walking sticks, and rungs for chairs. His son Emile helped transform the small business into an enterprise. He was followed by Jean Roset, who after World War II and now with a workforce of 50 made the move to industrial production and largely produced furniture for public institutions. Typical of the innovative and pioneering spirit of the Rosets was the fact that as early as the 1960s the company collaborated with architects for the designs thus firmly establishing the contract business early on as a profitable market niche. Subsequently, Jean’s sons Pierre and Michel increased this focus on collaborating with designers and continued the cooperation their father had begun with interior designer Michel Ducaroy. In 1973, the latter designed the seat “Togo”, of which to date more than 1.5 million units have been made. To mark the 50th anniversary of the “Togo” launch creation Ligne Roset is also offering a limited edition with special covers courtesy of Pierre Frey featuring a large graphic pattern: “La Toile du Peintre” or the canvas for the painting. The fact that no less a person than Lenny Kravitz when asked by Elle Decor to name the 12 things he could not live without had his “Togo” in second place after his guitar says a lot about all three – the musician, the design, and naturally Ligne Roset itself.

The brothers’ commitment to pioneering design is also evidenced in Michel Roset’s role as Vice President of the VIA association, founded in 1979 (Valorisation de l'Innovation dans l'Ameublement – Promotion of Innovation in Furniture Design): A discussion platform and exhibition venue that is devoted to promoting creativity and innovation in the furniture industry and the design of home interior styles and lifestyles both inside and outside France. Numerous young designers have already been discovered and supported by VIA. In addition, the Ligne Roset Group’s “Cinna” brand recently hosted a design competition aimed at young designers domiciled in France and asked the question: “How will we live tomorrow and how can we create sustainable design?”.

This year Antoine and his cousin Olivier, the sons of Pierre and Michel respectively, have taken over at the helm of the company: Both convey a sense of positive energy and great expertise, and the confidence that this changeover of the generations will again contribute to further advancing the company’s development. Today, Ligne Roset boasts a payroll of a good 800 employees, and it is a real delight to see how the next generation is so enthusiastic about the steps ahead. Last year, the Roset Group was awarded the state label "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" / Living Heritage Company (EPV), which recognizes the excellence of its know-how, its rare business legacy, and the renown associated with the cultural dimension to its achievements and its location. In other words, the Roset Group is now part of a selected national network of top companies driven by shared values: the ability to adapt and respond, innovation and a passion for the profession. Moreover, Ligne Roset is not only a supplier of furniture to the French embassies abroad, but also to the Élysée Palace.

Touring the spacious factory buildings you come across all the many details that are behind Ligne Roset’s prowess in creating the best seating experience for all its clients: A choice of 19 different types of upholstery for the chairs and sofas ensures the most suitable is selected, while most of the waste which is incurred is recycled wholly in the spirit of a circular economy. The furniture covers are produced by hand from the numerous fabrics and leather; the movements of the countless seamstresses resembling a ballet choreography. And the pieces are cut out so well that waste is reduced to the minimum. Sewing robots are also deployed as back-up, with their work subsequently being inspected by staff. There is a similar approach to processing the wood for the underlying furniture frames. Some work is done solely by hand, the rest by machines but with experienced artisans checking the work afterwards and thus guaranteeing the finished products are of the highest quality.

Now that this year’s show of Ligne Roset innovations has closed its doors in Palais de Tokyo, Paris, the exhibition can be visited on Ligne Roset’s grounds in a dedicated hall. And the exhibits include:

At the end of the tour, the Roset family offered a glimpse of “L'Appartement” by Ligne Roset in the Old Town of Lyon. The building at number 41 in the charming Rue Auguste Comte is home to the new store concept and innovative shopping experience: Designer Marie Christine Dorner has turned a store into an apartment that combines European flair and French savoir-faire. The fact that Ligne Roset furniture is placed alongside other iconic classics and numerous works of art creates an ambience in which one goes from being a buyer to becoming a connoisseur. It can only be hoped that Ligne Roset will continue this concept at other locations.

After a day full of fascinating impressions the program was rounded off with a delicious evening meal in the company of the family. The Rosets’ high regard for their guests was also demonstrated by the luxurious accommodation in which one could lay one’s head: The 5-star Intercontinental Lyon – Hôtel Dieu which was fitted out by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, hardly surprisingly together with Ligne Roset.