EU Munich visits Villeroy & Boch
In early April a group of students from EU Munich enjoyed an overnight visit to the headquarters of Villeroy & Boch in Mettlach near Saarbrucken. EU students visited the factory where V&B’s high-quality ceramics, plates, cups are manufactured and were given an in-depth tour round the factory. The highly-automated production process is a trademark of the modern industry at V&B and the production process has benefited greatly from this intense investment in technology. Students saw first-hand the large number of automated transport systems installed in the factory, in the 20-story fully-automated warehouse and in V&B’s advanced system of distribution that requires all products to be tagged with a codified ID before delivery by truck to the final destination.
The company’s origins date back more than 250 years to 1748 as François Boch began a ceramic manufacturing operation in the Duchy of Lorraine. The business didn’t become a major force until 1836 when Boch and his rival Nicolas Villeroy joined forces to create the company we know today. Through innovation and strong business principles, Villeroy & Boch has been able to survive some of Europe’s darkest moments in the last century to become one of the world’s best known and quality brands of tableware, glassware, cutlery, bathroom furniture and more.
Mr. Wendelin von Boch, the latest in more than 8 generations of the family to run the company, guided students through the history of the company and how it has managed to remain true to its traditions, while achieving continued success in its position as a widely-known international company. He also emphasized that creativity and innovation in their products has allowed them to stay competitive in the global markets and that new design concepts are being developed and new markets are constantly being explored. The fascinating tour ended with a walk through an exhibit explaining the different types of ceramics V&B has developed and used spread across a timeline of product evolution over the decades.
The company’s origins date back more than 250 years to 1748 as François Boch began a ceramic manufacturing operation in the Duchy of Lorraine. The business didn’t become a major force until 1836 when Boch and his rival Nicolas Villeroy joined forces to create the company we know today. Through innovation and strong business principles, Villeroy & Boch has been able to survive some of Europe’s darkest moments in the last century to become one of the world’s best known and quality brands of tableware, glassware, cutlery, bathroom furniture and more.
Mr. Wendelin von Boch, the latest in more than 8 generations of the family to run the company, guided students through the history of the company and how it has managed to remain true to its traditions, while achieving continued success in its position as a widely-known international company. He also emphasized that creativity and innovation in their products has allowed them to stay competitive in the global markets and that new design concepts are being developed and new markets are constantly being explored. The fascinating tour ended with a walk through an exhibit explaining the different types of ceramics V&B has developed and used spread across a timeline of product evolution over the decades.
