Operation transmission!

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On March 26, Gardette marked a historic milestone by celebrating its 100th anniversary.
From factory tours to a gala evening, this event was not only a celebration of the past but a true declaration of intent for the future, centered on sustainability and trust.

A look back at this memorable day in our centennial celebration year.

Why talk about “transmission” for a century?
Because in a century, the Gardette company has learned that a key does not only transmit mechanical force: it links eras, know-how and people.

A look back at our memorable day on March 26, a real link between our Caladois heritage and our ambitions for tomorrow.

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Why “Operation Transmission”?

Celebrating 100 years is never an accident. It is the result of a permanent ability to adapt, which Jean-Sébastien Weldé, General Manager Gardette Group call our “resilience.”

The theme of transmission was obvious because it defines our business (power transmission by the key) as well as our family and human structure.

In 2026, celebrating this centenary means affirming our solidity in an unstable world and our desire to remain a protective “cocoon” for our teams.

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An immersion in the heart of know-how

The day of March 26 began with a strong sequence: the opening of the doors of our historic site in Villefranche-sur-Saône.

Partners, customers, suppliers and families of collaborators were able to discover the backstage of our production. In the middle of the machines, visitors were able to grasp all the complexity of our job: to manufacture these precision parts, the keys, which, although small, are the vital organs for the transmission of power in engines around the world.

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A century of industrial history

The story we shared takes root long before our current buildings:

• 1922-1926: Joanny Gardette founded the company on August 24, 1922. Injured during the Great War, he studied industrial techniques in the United States before importing this modern vision to Villefranche in 1926.

• 1973: Installation at 95 route de Frans, our current site, marking the definitive modernization of our key production.

• 1986: Philippe Gardette took over the management and refocused the activity on keys, making the company the French leader in the sector.

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The “Family” with a capital F: The engine behind Generation 4.0

The highlight of the gala evening was the passing of the baton between generations.

Philippe Gardette, active president, recalled the importance of transmission, in particular to Jean-Sébastien Weldé, who joined as an apprentice in 1998 and is now at the helm of the Group.

Transmission is not just a legacy, it is an impetus to the future:

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• The 4th generation: The arrival of Paul Gardette symbolizes this continuity, with projects focused on digitalization and modernization.

• The spirit of “Cocon”: A culture where we protect each other to stand together in the face of external instabilities.

• The future of apprentices: With 15 apprentices present, Gardette proves that succession is the top priority for the decades to come.

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Heading for new horizons: From the engine to the ocean

True to its desire to diversify, the group took advantage of this centenary to announce its expansion in the world of boating and hardware.

With a goal of €4 MILLION of turnover by 2027 in this sector, Gardette is taking off.

This new division, led by Paul Gardette, shows that while our core business remains fixing, our playing field is constantly expanding.

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Humans, the secret of our longevity

As Jean-Sébastien Weldé pointed out, “you never celebrate 100 years alone. Whether it is our apprentices or our historical pillars, it is this “Family” that constitutes our true strength. For 100 years, this small key has been transmitting mechanical force. But tonight, we are transmitting something else: a history, a trust and a future.”

If the celebration of March 26 made an impression, “Operation Transmission” has only just begun. This centenary is the thread running through our entire year 2026, and several highlights will continue to punctuate the coming months to highlight our know-how and our cohesion.

Once again, thank you to all our collaborators and partners (we think in particular of the UIMM Lyon, the AURA region, the CCE/CCI, the BPI, Business France and many others) for having written with us the first hundred pages of this industrial saga.

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Stay connected, the journey continues!