Guerlain Opened New Make-Up Production Facility “La Ruche”

Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, Bernard Arnault, President and CEO of the LVMH group, and Laurent Boillot, President and CEO of Guerlain, opened Guerlain's new skincare and make-up production facility, "La Ruche", in Chartres. Following the inauguration of LVMH's Fragrance and Cosmetics Research Centre in November 2013, which employs over 250 researchers in Orléans, it was Guerlain's turn to open a new production facility at the heart of Cosmetic Valley. This facility, exclusively dedicated to skincare and make-up, incorporates state-of-the-art technology and once again demonstrates that LVMH Fragrance and Cosmetics production and research are firmly rooted in France. La Ruche employs 350 people.

Bernard Arnault, President and CEO of the LVMH group, said: "This inauguration is an important event for Guerlain and for our Fragrance & Cosmetics business group. This ultra-high-technology facility is in line with the Group's strategy, which is to consistently promote in France, its expertise in fragrance and cosmetics and its development capacity for the best products whilst complying with the highest quality standards required."

The ideal combination of industrial imperatives, quality standards, environmental requirements and occupational well-being of our staff, La Ruche provides Guerlain with a production facility in line with its ambition for development. The success of La Petite Robe Noire fragrance and the transformation of the iconic Boutique at 68 Champs-Elysées in Paris are perfect examples of this acceleration over the past few years. The facility is responsible for the global production of Guerlain skincare and make-up, 75% of which is destined for export.

"Since the creation of its first production facility 187 years ago, Guerlain has always exclusively manufactured its products in France," emphasises Laurent Boillot, the House's President and CEO. "La Ruche showcases the pairing of high technology with the unique know-how of our 350 staff members; it will assist us in meeting the challenges over the coming years."

La Ruche is a flagship facility in terms of industrial performance, innovation and quality. It is one of the pioneering facilities in the application of ISO8 pharmaceutical standards in cosmetics: 50 clean rooms with positive pressure, filtered air ventilation and laminar flow cabinets.

Located at the heart of Cosmetic Valley, which Guerlain helped to found in 1994, La Ruche reinforces the Maison's French industrial heritage and the creation of numerous partnerships with local stakeholders, especially the town of Chartres.

The La Ruche facility obtained a HEQ (High Environmental Quality) certification to Excellent level, thanks to an ambitious plan: 21,000 m2 of bioclimatic design (solar panels, living green roof, etc.), eco-management of the building (rainwater recovery, etc.), the arrangement of the green spaces and protection of biodiversity.

Last but not least, from the project design stage, the facility has ensured that the well-being and quality of life for its 350 staff members is catered for with natural light, ergonomic workstations and other positive initiatives.