Hermès is One Stone Closer to a 24th Leather Facility

Construction on Hermès’ previously announced L’Isle-d’Espanac leather workshop has commenced, with the laying of the first stone. This facility will be part of Hermès’ South-West hub, which includes the Maroquinerie deMontbron (opened in 2015), the Maroquinerie de Nontron leather goods workshops, and the Ganterie Maroquinerie de Saint-Junien glove and leather goods workshop.

Image courtesy actu.fr

Before you get excited about the potential for greater availability of Birkins and Kellys, it certainly won’t happen right away (if at all). This location will not open until sometime in 2025. Artisans will be trained at the École Hermès des savoir-faire, an apprenticeship training center located in the South-West hub, accredited by the French Ministry of Education in 2022.

According to Hermès:

The house’s artisan-trainers are responsible
for passing on Hermès’ know-how and culture. Certified by the Ministry of Education, these assessors train
apprentices for the French CAP vocational qualification in leatherworking and saddlery, or for CQP
vocational certificates in leather cutting and stitching.

Training for the next class of artisans will begin in September 2024. This facility expects to ultimately employ 260 artisans. Applications are now open to those interested.

Back in 2022, Hermès identified two new locations in France for leather production, tagged as the 23rd and 24th workshops. L’Isle-d’Espanac is number 24. The two facilities were expected to employ a total of 500 artisans. No word on how many bags will be produced.