Article from EPV website

“Ministerial visit and Legion of Honour award at EPV-labelled Tolix Steel Design On 4 July 2011, the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Pierre Lellouche, visited Autun and the factory of EPV-labelled company Tolix Steel Design. That day, the company’s managing director, Chantal Andriot, was also made a Knight of the Legion of Honour, in the presence of local councillors.

Founded in 1930 and taken over by its current managing director in 2004, Tolix Steel Design designs and manufactures galvanised metal furniture. The unique production process developed by the company’s founder lives on, and the furniture, originally intended for outdoor use, now also finds a place in the private sphere. A number of designs, such as the famous A chair, have become French urban furniture classics. Others are referenced by the Mobilier National, the French Government agency in charge of State-owned furniture.

On his visit, Mr Lellouche learned all about the traditional expertise of a firm which today exports its metal furniture all over the world. Having joined the company as finance manager in 1973, managing director Chantal Andriot has succeeded in reviving a brand which today enjoys an international reputation. Alone woman in a men’s world, she has managed to give Tolix a new lease of life, by emphasising quality and innovation. In 2011, Tolix has 80 employees and a turnover of 7.2 million euros, half of which comes from exports. “We sell our furniture in the United States, Brazil and also China,” she explains. “

Source: EPV website (http://www.frenchsavoirfaire.com)