At INFACO, we didn't wait for the advent of "Made in France" to manufacture in France. Since the very first pruning shears were created and assembled in 1984, we have relied mainly on local partners. Promoting the Tarn, the Occitanie region and France in general thanks to the INFACO brand is part of our approach and our philosophy. We strive to work with local suppliers to build lasting relationships based on trust, which is fundamental to us.
When did INFACO obtain its first Origine France Garantie label?
We obtained our first "Origine France Garantie" (OFG) label on 26 May 2014, for the ELECTROCOUP F3010. Now, almost our entire product range has been awarded the OFG label: the Electroliv and, most recently, our new pruning shears, the F3020.
How do you obtain Origine France Garantie certification?
To obtain the OFG label, you have to submit an application to an approved body (at INFACO, we have gone through Bureau Veritas) which checks that the majority of spare parts are indeed manufactured in France. Once the application has been processed and validated, it goes through a confirmation audit, which involves a site visit. Certification is valid for 3 years, subject to annual follow-up visits.
What is the purpose of this distinction?
The OFG is a guarantee of quality that confirms the complete traceability and origin of the finished product. It enables us to demonstrate our commitment to our customers/consumers and to local players in order to promote our French expertise both at home and abroad. Producing in France also means encouraging short supply chains and limiting the environmental impact of our tools, while complying with strict manufacturing standards. On a wider scale, guaranteeing Origine France Garantie products simply means safeguarding a social model and jobs in France, to ensure our economic sovereignty.
Where do the spare parts used to produce INFACO tools come from?
We try to work with suppliers who are close to home and who share our values. To name just two:
We also attach particular importance to working with professionals who are the best in their fields. The detailed map opposite shows our main partners: electronics, mechanics, batteries, plastics, cabling, security systems and printing.
All parts are assembled at INFACO's premises in Cahuzac-sur-Vère, in the Tarn region, by the company's technicians.
What does this label change for INFACO?
Fundamentally, it doesn't change a great deal, as the desire to manufacture in France has always been at the heart of our concerns. We could work with Asia to keep costs down, but we're proud of the fact that we prefer to promote French quality and expertise throughout the world. Since our products were awarded the 'Origine France Garantie' label, we haven't changed our working methods or our suppliers. In the end, this label is simply a reflection of what we've been doing since the company was founded, which is common sense: getting people to work close to home, and so much the better if it also helps to protect the environment and maintain French know-how that is renowned the world over.
In fact, some of the products we sell do not carry the label, even though they meet all the criteria. For example, our spools of wire (used with our AT1000 tying machine) made from iron and wrapped in fully degradable paper are designed in France and partly made in our own factory! We're really proud of the fact that we don't relocate this type of production and that we're creating new jobs in France, and particularly in our home country.
