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 specialized initially in the manufacture of forged safety parts for industry. In the early 1970s, it took a decisive turn by working with the top sailors of the time, such as Moitessier, Tabarly and Alain Colas to develop its first boat fittings. However, it still maintained its powerful industrial activity.

50 years later, the Wichard brand has accompanied generations of sailors around the world. Wichard products are now fitted by all major yards, used by the most demanding sailors and sold in 5 continents through the company’s global distributor network.

Choosing a Wichard product means above all choosing a quality product that will ensure safety and performance during your voyages.

Why choose a Wichard forged product?

Picto Anti corrosion

Proven corrosion resistance

Picto Muscle

Superior mechanical and fatigue strength

Picto Certification

Production and quality control

Picto Label

Guaranteed reliability

Picto France

Made in france

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 ranges of boat fittings (shackles and snap hooks)

1960's

First boat fittings catalogue - Development of the famous part#. 2480 snap hook

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

Design Oscar awarded to the quick release snap shackle - Swivel snap shackles and eye straps

1984

Lifeline hooks and sailing knife range

1986

Folding pad eye and eye strap range

1988

Barman’s knife and handwheel babystay adjusters

1990

U-bolts, Wichinox and swivel snap shackles (parts#. 2384 and 2385)

1991

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

1992

Double pad eyes and new swivel snap shackles

1993

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

1994

Wichard ball bearing and plain bearing blocks – New babystay adjusters - Single-handed knife

1995

Patented" thimble shackles, eye straps (ref 9212, 9412), a range of fixed tiller extensions, and simple blade, shackle key and Bosco knives

1996

2-point folding pad eyes - a range of stainless-steel blocks

1997

DAME AWARD awarded to the double safety snap hook

1998

Development of a parachuting buckle range and telescopic tiller extensions

1999

A range of trigger snap shackles, and multi-function pliers

2001

Acquisition of the Profurl brand, specialized in the design and manufacture of sail furlers

2002

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

2003

Launch of the first boom brake and deck accessories

2004

Acquisition of Forginox, a cutlery forge in Thiers.- A quick-release trapeze hook, new fixed tiller extensions (aluminium and carbon) and opening luff rope prefeeders

2005

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

2006

A new range of ball bearing and plain bearing blocks, and the Gyb’easy boom brake

2007

Lyfsafe jacklines

2008

Speedlink: A range of trigger snap shackles

2009

Greenox maintenance product – the MX halyard shackle

2010

ISO 14001 certification

2012

Acquisition of Facnor (sail furlers), Sparcraft (masts and rigging) and Sparcraft Rigging (rigging) – Proline: New range of harness tethers

2013

Softlink: textile shackles

2014

A range of fairleads

2015

EN 9100 certification – new Offshore and Aquaterra knife ranges

2016

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

2018

Wichard celebrated its centenary!!

2019

The Offshore Rescue knife range

2020

Eco friendly An eco-friendly company

Eco friendly


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.

 

Brands Wichard Group brands

Wichard is one of the leading manufacturers of on-board equipment. Their products are renowned for their reliability, safety and quality, and are available in more than 35 countries.

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Thanks to their expertise and our forge, Wichard has earned its place in several industrial markets: automobile, aeronautics, medical, parachuting and industrial supplies. They have the tools to handle both mid- and large-scale production runs.

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A pioneer in the design and manufacture of roller furling solutions for boats, Profurl is internationally renowned for the quality and endurance of their products: manual furlers, motorised furlers, roller housing, etc.

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Since 1981, Facnor has been designing and manufacturing innovative sail furling systems for large-scale yachts, ocean racing craft and coastal and offshore cruisers.

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Since 1962, Sparcraft has been synonymous with nautical excellence, specialising in the design and manufacture of masts, booms and rigging of the highest quality.

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As the manufacturer of the legendary Maillon Rapide® Quick-Link system, Peguet provides universally versatile and high-quality products which are used in a wide range of industrial and sports sectors.

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Maillard produces various pulleys and accessories for the Wichard brand. We put our tools and expertise to good use for our industrial clients.

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LORIMA is the world’s leading manufacturer of carbon masts for racing and cruise boats. Thanks to this expertise, they have also made inroads into industrial markets (wind power, aeronautics, automobile, etc.)

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