Archives for May 2012 | La Boutique Vintage

It began in England, in London more exactly in 1900! With the creation of the Company of the Neostyle.

But it’s in 1907 the Roneo Company is created. First the company distributes some duplicating machines. Then it began to make some wood furniture and later some metal ones.

The Roneo office desks are completely made according to the American methods and plans, by Parisian cabinetmakers who know how to give to their work a unique design, is the slogan at that time.

They don’t make only desks, at first “The Roneo Company” is making bookcases, files, tables, chairs and armchairs, study… everything, in oak, mahogany, walnut with bronze and marquetry.

After 20 years, the company settles down in “Les Lilas” (in the suburb of Paris), a model factory, gone nowadays. Gradually, the wood gives in to place to the metal and new references are added to the catalog: fixed seats and typist, files, desks, tables and cupboards, safes, lockers for offices and factories.

In 1958, the brand is The reference in all French administration, everybody provides himself there: Renault, EDF… It’s the euphoria. So, a new production unit settles down in Noyon, employing up to 4 000 persons.

It is in 1970 that, Yvette Dupuis, the entrepreneur’s daughter, sold the company to an English group: Vickers. Then, began a new adventure.

And in 2009, the French Company Majencia, at present leader in all desk furniture, takes the brand back.

You can find a lot of Roneo lockers made in Noyon, but those made in “Les Lilas” are rare. To recognize them, easy, it’s written, have a look at those pictures.

A little of their history:

The Forges of Strasbourg are the renowned pioneers of French metal desk furniture.

Established in 1919, The Forges of Strasbourg, are at the origin of the manufacturers of skeleton in metal, machine for industry…

It’s in 1926 that the company creates the brand “Strafor” (of the contraction of the name of the company) to market all the desk metallic furniture.

This Strafor furniture will be very fast synonymic of solidity and practicality. It is worked in corrugated iron by stamped what confers it a real solidity.

Stamped in the steel, the first signature appears under the name “Forges de Strasbourg”. Then, in the 20s, with the creation of the Strafor brand, it became an oval plate, obviously placed in the pediment of the furniture, wearing the mention “Strafor, Forges de Strasbourg”.

However, the company will know some economic difficulties in the 50s and will find a revival in 1974 by joining the group Steelcase (US group) through a joint venture.

In 1981, the birth of Steelcase Strafor is officialized (capital 50 % Strafor facom / 50 % Steelcase Inc).

But the year 1999 will mean the definitive end of the legend Strafor, the capital Steelcase Strafor was being bought back in 100 % by Steelcase Inc.

We will never see the Strafor style again, but thanks to recycling we should all be able to get one or more in our life!

Why I really do like them?

Well, they are very strong and very light at the same time, 3 times less heavy than their brothers (German and Scandinavian brands…) at that time! And they are so elegant, so aesthetic, all the locksmithery is in brass, the handles of cloakroom, the buttons of lids… It’s the power of the steel industry associated with the elegance of the French Touch !