The creation of our textile workshop

Gauthier Fils, a passion for braiding

The manufacture of laces in the Ambert region dates back to the 17th century. At that time, it was a secondary activity, carried out at home by peasant workers. From the 19th century onwards, this activity became industrialized and used the driving force of the many available waterways.

The textile adventure of the Gauthier family goes back to 1772, with Claude Gauthier, silk miller in Pélussin (Loire) and then in Boulieu-lès-Annonay (Ardèche). His son Dominique succeeded him, and continued the milling activity in Boulieu, then Valbenoite (Loire).

On the death of their father, the brothers Hippolyte and Jean-Claude Gauthier, in turn, took over the silk milling business in the Lyon region.

Around 1854, Jean-Claude and his mother decided to move to the Ambert region, more precisely to La Forie, where a silk refinery was created, employing around fifty people.

In 1859, Hippolyte Gauthier joined his family in La Forie, then moved to Vertolaye in 1872, where he built his first building on the foundations of an old grain mill.

In 1908, his nephew, Anatole Gauthier, succeeded him. He decided to acquire other premises, as the “mill at the top of the village” was too small. He bought another silk mill in Vertolaye, including a workshop, forge, carpentry, laundry, dormitory, refectory… At the time, the staff were fed and housed on the premises!

From 1908 onwards, Anatole Gauthier decided to redirect the activity towards the braiding of sheaths and laces. This change of direction ensured the continued existence of the “factory at the bottom of the village” in Vertolaye (although silk milling continued until the 1940s).

In 1929, Anatole Gauthier passed on the company to his children: the house of A. Gauthier officially became SARL Tresses et lacets Gauthier Fils.
It was Jean-François Gauthier who became the sole continuator of the company in the 1950s.

In 1962, Jean-Pierre Gauthier succeeded him. In 1995, he had an extension built which doubled the production area.
In 1997, his son Jean-Damien Gauthier took over the reins of the company. He is the current manager.

In 2009, Gauthier Fils was awarded by the EPV label (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant), rewarding its traditional know-how.

The Gauthier group is expanding by bringing together several complementary companies: purchase of Promotress (braids and elastic cords) in 2011, creation of Atiplast (overmoulding and plastic injection) in 2012, and purchase of Tourlonias (manufacture of wooden articles) in 2013.

On 30 July 2015, Gauthier Fils obtained ISO 9001 certification, validated by Bureau Veritas.

In 2018, the website is completely refurbished to better meet the needs of our customers.

At the beginning of 2021, Gauthier Fils launches a ribbon-making activity: weaving of twill, taffeta or satin ribbons, plain or multicoloured, in different materials.

In August 2021, the EPV label is renewed for a period of 5 years

In September 2022, Groupe Gauthier acquired Manutex, a Saint-Chamond (42) company specializing in ribbon manufacturing.