Villeroy & Boch - a success story

In 1748, Francois Boch, holder of the title " Bombardier du Roi ", royal cannon foundryman, began with the help of his three sons in Deutsch-Oth (Audun le Tiche) in Lorraine with the production of ceramic goods, especially crockery.

In 1766 a new plant was founded in Septfontaines/Luxembourg with the aim of early industrial series production.

As a special recognition, the Faiencerie may bear the title "Manufacture Impériale et Royale".
Luxembourg is one of the Bochs' early sales markets.

Therefore, François' son Pierre-Joseph applied to the Austrian government with the aim of being allowed to set up a factory in the province of Luxembourg. He receives permission from Empress Maria Theresa.
1767 Expansion and History of Old Luxembourg. Thanks to the high demand for these goods, the company was able to expand in 1767 and began mass production of ceramics near the Luxembourg Fortress under the name Jean-François Boch et Frères. The table culture series " Alt Luxemburg", which is popular worldwide, goes back to the Brindille decor that Pierre-Joseph created in 1770.

He designed a number of artistic ceramics including shell-shaped ornaments.

In 1809, J ean-François Boch bought the former Benedictine abbey in Mettlach an der Saar. Here he set up a highly modern, largely mechanized crockery factory in a baroque style.

With the manufacturing machines designed by him, the possibility of mass production was given. The abbey is the current headquarters of Villeroy & Boch.

In addition, from 1829 a white, very hard earthenware was developed and produced, which also allowed the ceramic ware to be sold on the national market.

The merchant Nicolas Villeroy, together with two partners, acquired an earthenware factory in Vaudrevange, today's Wallerfang. In 1797 it became his full property. Villeroy was one of the first ceramic manufacturers to use coal as a fuel.

The copper engraving process to print porcelain was the start of series production. From 1815, Villeroy was able to offer products at lower prices than the competition.

In 1843, Villeroy and Boch opened their first joint factory in Wadgassen in Saarland, the Cristallerie. The reason for the merger: together we are strong.

In order to be able to survive in the European economic structure , they conclude a merger agreement. The company Villeroy & Boch was created in order to combine the strengths of both sides, creative talent, commercial spirit, innovative strength and production capacity. They were among the first global players of the 19th century.

This enabled them to further advance in the supra-regional and later in the European market.