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【Saint-Dié-de】Driven by Tiffany & Co. Orders, Jeweler Orest Expands Operations in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges

Editor’s Note

Orest Group has officially opened its new workshop in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, marking a key step in its post-acquisition expansion under LVMH. With Tiffany & Co. set to occupy half the facility, the move signals growing production capacity and hiring momentum.

Jewelry manufacturer Orest Group has moved into its new workshop in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. A few months after its acquisition by LVMH, Orest Group is expanding, notably by supplying luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. Hiring is planned, and an expansion of the workshop is already on the agenda.

Tiffany & Co. to Soon Occupy 50% of the Workshop

With the establishment of a new workshop in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, French jewelry manufacturing leader Orest Group continues its expansion in collaboration with luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. Both were acquired by the LVMH group, in April 2023 and 2021 respectively.

“This new manufacturing facility allows Tiffany to strengthen its production capacities in France and support our growth across all markets, particularly in Europe,” says Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President of “Products, Communication, and Industrial” for luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co.

After closing the 2023 fiscal year with a turnover of €130 million, Orest Group (700 employees) reports a saturated order book for 2024.

“This ramp-up is primarily driven by the Tiffany house,” specifies Denis De Becker, President of Orest Group.

Nearly 200 people are already working at the new site in the Vosges, where Orest Group moved in May 2023. The company has been present in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges since 2021, initially occupying a temporary site.

“We are integrating about ten people per month. Our projections bring us to a workforce of 300 by the end of December,” announces Denis De Becker.

While 20% of the Saint-Dié site currently produces for Tiffany & Co.,

“from next year, 50% of the workshop will be filled by Tiffany,” aims Alexandre Arnault. “In my opinion, all recruitment must now be for Tiffany, so that we can achieve our objective,” he continues.

The workshop also produces for other luxury clients such as Richemont or Hermès.
Employees could be recruited in a few months directly after completing the CAP Jewellery program created by Orest Group and its partner Aurigane Créations, in collaboration with the National Education system. The first cohort was launched in October 2023 and takes place at the UIMM premises in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.

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The new building in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges is brand new, as is the equipment. Citing “optimized workflows” and a “natural environment,” Denis de Becker also mentions “working conditions that are significantly better than at our Alsatian site, which is relatively cramped.” The other Orest workshop is located in Erstein, Alsace (the company’s headquarters) and employs nearly 500 people.
At the Saint-Dié-des-Vosges site, about thirty fruit trees have been planted. Beehives and a vegetable garden are expected to be set up this summer.

“We are trying to provide a very positive environment for our employees,” justifies Denis De Becker.
€600,000 Invested in a Foundry

Confident about its future, Orest Group announces a regular turnover growth of just over 15% per year. While the site currently operates in complementarity with the Orest workshop in Erstein, it should gain autonomy in the coming months.

“We are investing in a foundry during 2024. Normally, it will be operational in June 2024,” specifies Denis De Becker.

An investment of around €600,000 in the Saint-Dié-des-Vosges workshop building. The site, spanning 2,500 m², had already required €7.50 million in investments, including €5 million for the building and €2.50 million for production tools. Inside the building, a room is already planned to house the foundry.

Expansion and Diversification Considered

For now, the Saint-Dié-des-Vosges site has not reached its full capacity.

“We can double the site’s capacity. It will be saturated at 400 people, which leaves us two and a half to three years maximum to think about our expansion project, which is not yet finalized,” says Denis De Becker, mentioning “a significant investment of several million euros.”

Furthermore, Orest Group, which currently produces fine jewelry, is open to diversifying its activity.

“The site is in constant technical progression. It is not impossible to imagine, within 4 to 5 years, making medium jewelry pieces,” emphasizes Denis De Becker.
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⏰ Published on: March 07, 2024