Forging: our unique know-how

For more than 100 years our main mission has been to provide all our customers with quality products that ensure both safety and optimum performance for their sports and professional activities.

Wichard was founded in 1919 in Thiers by Henri Wichard. The company specialised initially in the manufacture of forged safety parts for industry.

From the simple forged blank to the finished product, we provide global solutions adapted to your needs. By forging small parts from 1g to 1 kg, in medium or large series and using materials such as stainless steel or titanium. Our fields of application are varied: parachuting, aeronautics, medical, automotive, etc.

Choosing a Wichard product means above all choosing a quality product that will ensure safety and performance in all areas of application.

Why choose a Wichard forged product?

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Guaranteed reliability

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Made in france

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Production and quality control

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Proven corrosion resistance

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Superior mechanical and fatigue strength

Since 1919100 years of history

Founding of the company by Henri Wichard. It specialized in hammer forging – mainly producing scissors, knives and parts for weaving looms. - Development of subcontracting for industrial markets (From 1919 to the 1960s)

1919

Development of the first standard product lines (shackles, carabiners) in the late 1960s

1960

Development of the carabiner range and the famous carabiner ref 2480

1970

Creation of the second production site in the Felet zone in Thiers – Installation of the automatic forging line capable of forging up to 2200 parts per hour - Launch of halyard snap hooks, sail snaps and eye bolts

1972

Development of the titanium forge for producing medical prostheses

1978

International network development

1980

Acquisition of the company by a private shareholder

1989

Opening of the U.S. subsidiary; Wichard inc.

1992

Acquisition of the Maillard company in St Malo (plastic injection) to produce Wichard blocks

1994

Development of a parachuting buckle range

1999

Acquisition of the Wichard company by a group of shareholders and creation of the holding "Accasting" company – External growth

2002

Opening of the Australian subsidiary, Wichard Pacific – a range of Roller blocks

2003

Acquisition of Forginox, a cutlery forge in Thiers.

2005

Installation of a high-speed machining platform for production tooling. ISO 9001 certification

2006

Installation of a new forging press - ISO 13485 certified

2008

ISO 14001 certification

2012

Development of the Wichard Group through external growth

2013

Installation of a 5-axis machining center

2015

EN 9100 certification

2016

Acquisition of Lorima (carbon parts) and Peguet (quick links)

2018

Wichard celebrated its centenary!!

2019

Eco friendly An eco-friendly company

Here at Wichard, we take our duty to protect the environment seriously. This dedication is reflected in our ISO 14001 certification, which we’ve had for many years. So what does this actually involve?

  • Following all the applicable environmental laws, regulations and recommendations,
  • Working constantly to reduce and eliminate pollution,
  • Designing environmentally-friendly, recyclable products,

Reducing the environmental impact of our sites:

  • By reducing our consumption of raw materials and energy,
  • By using clean production processes,
  • By avoiding any emissions into the environment which could pollute our air or waterways,
  • By processing our waste efficiently.
  • Working together with our partners and employees to keep on improving.