Jean-Marie Bonnet, founder of FRANCE NOYER SA

For 3 generations, this passion for wood has been flowing in the veins of the BONNET family.

The grand-father started up the walnut wood trade. Jean-Marie BONNET took up the trade at the early age of 15.

Being a down-to-earth man above all, he traveled worldwide looking for walnut logs and precious species, amassing " an encyclopaedic " knowledge which he now uses to enhance the value of his products and satisfy his customers.

He has developed an intuitive feeling for wood which has become part of his personality, wood is his vocation.

With unabated energy he steers the progress of his company , never hesitating to adjust his positions when necessary. His intuitive turn of mind allows him to keep ahead of trends and fashions.

In 1981, Jean-Marie BONNET set up the veneer factory at Assier thus building a structure able to give him a chance to enhance his discoveries.

France NOYER is above all a craftman's company, by craft we mean a passion for our job and a taste for highly-skilled quality work.

Man is a key word in our company, our know how is transmitted from man to man, each one of us is responsible for one stage of the production with a single aim : a high quality finished product.

Indeed, in the processing of precious species, no machine will ever take the place of a man's eye or skill.

:

• - In the thirties : FORESTRY AND WALNUT TREE TRADE

• - In the forties : Emile BONNET carries on this trade and begins to produce wood boards for cabinet makers. H e sets up his own sawmill.

 

• - In the fifties : Jean-Marie BONNET bought his first trees standing and very quickly took the head of a team of wood cutters to cut his own trees.

He never hesitated to join in and use the pickaxe or the axe along with them. According to him " you can only lead by setting an example and proving your competence "

 

• - Years 80-90 : He kept on running the sawmill while at the same time developing the commercial side. In addition he began veneer manufacturing in 1981 building the veneer factory located at Assier (South West of France) on a 6 hectare site on which he set up a 6000 M2 building.

• Over the last few years, Jean-Marie BONNET has been endeavouring to transmit his knowledge to a team of young people at the head of the company as well as at every stage of buying and processing. He means to maintain a high-level of qualification and ensure the future of his firm with serenity.

• Managing director : Agnès AUBERTIN

• Technical manager : Philippe BONNET

• · first French producer of walnut wood.
• · 10.000 walnut trees processed every year with other precious species ( burls, Yew…)
• · 85% of the turnover comes from exports.
• · 100% of French territory is covered by our buyers.