Hermes opens sustainable leather goods workshop in France

Luxury fashion house Hermes has opened a new leather goods workshop in Louviers, France, creating 280 jobs and further strengthening its commitment to sustainable job creation and artisanal know-how. The Maroquinerie de Louviers, which is the second leather goods hub of the house in Normandy, will employ 260 leatherworkers, saddlers and other staff in roles including management, logistics and human resources.

Inside the workshop, the artisans will produce bags, small leather goods, saddles, and bridles.

The 6,200-square-metre workshop, designed by French Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh, is a unique space for artisans. It is the first industrial building to have earned the French E4C2 label and was constructed on an industrial brownfield site using over 500,000 bricks produced 70 kilometres from Louviers, the company said in a press release.

Hermes' recruitment and training strategy will focus on close collaboration with local organisations, including the Pole emploi employment service, the Greta de l’Eure adult education service, the Lycee Augustin-Boismard high school in Brionne and the Haras national du Pin stud.

The Louviers Ecole Hermes des savoir-faire, opened in 2022, trains artisans in cutting and table work to develop their versatility. Saddlery, the oldest of Hermes' metiers, is placed at the heart of the site.
The building's position maximises natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting, heating and air conditioning. Energy needs are met by 13 probes at a depth of 150 metres, providing geothermal energy, and over 2,300 square metres of solar panels, ensuring the workshop's energy autonomy.

The undulating gardens designed by Belgian landscape architect Erik Dhont preserve local biodiversity, retaining most of the site's original trees and featuring a system to recover and direct rainwater into the water table. The workshop is an excellent example of Hermes' commitment to environmental performance, regional development, and socially responsible practices.