Our History
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Our History

Saint-Gobain’s 350 years of history have been an ongoing film of change and adaptation, demonstrating that industry is movement.

XVII TH CENTURY

XVII TH CENTURY (1601 – 1700) From Royal Manufactory To Industry

Founded during the reign of Louis XIV, the Royal Manufactory of mirror glass developed a revolutionary procedure that involved casting glass on a metal table. It opened its main production site in a small village in the northeastern part of the Kingdom from which it took its name: Saint-Gobain.

Key Date

 

In October 1665, Louis XIV signed the Letters Patent, thereby officially creating the Manufacture des Glaces de Miroirs in Paris, one of 25 royal manufactories founded that year.

 

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XVIII TH CENTURY

XVIII TH CENTURY (1701 – 1800) A Period Of Prosperity And Development

 

 

The mirror glass works benefited not only from royal orders as soon as it opened for business, but also and even more so from the soaring popularity of mirrors among the general population. This and its monopoly on mirror glass making helped guarantee the Manufactory’s prosperity.

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XIX TH CENTURY

XIX TH CENTURY (1801 – 1900) Progression Of The Glass Market

 

Confronted with the emergence of strong international competition, Saint-Gobain developed a large chemical business that supported the expansion of glass works outside of France. Glass was becoming a construction material in its own right with the growth of architecture combining steel and glass for large public buildings such as railway stations, exhibition centers, greenhouses, indoor food markets, covered walkways and department stores.

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XX TH CENTURY

XX TH CENTURY (1901 – 2000) Industrial Revolutions And Modern Times

 

The 20th century was one of diversification: after focusing almost exclusively on manufacturing mirror glass since its was founded, Saint-Gobain now became interested in all types of glass products.

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XXI TH CENTURY

XXI TH CENTURY (2001 – 2015) A Worldwide Group Backed By 350 Years Of History

Saint-Gobain group has refocused on its sustainable habitat strategy and accelerated its international expansion.

2006

2006 – Till Now Saint-Gobain In The EMME

 

On January 1st of 2016 Saint-Gobain opened its doors to the Middle East. With a community rich in culture and experience, the Middle East has served as a fast-growing setting for Saint-Gobain to execute its vision of creating optimal living spaces. As of beginning of 2019, with the group reorganization and along with the development of Saint-Gobain operations in the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (SEMEA) region, Saint-Gobain Middle East is restructured to become Saint-Gobain Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME).

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