On Friday 9th June 2023, Brosserie Brenet celebrated its 125th anniversary. Founded in 1897 by Victor Brenet, Brosserie Brenet specializes in the design and manufacture of custom-made technical brushes for all industries.

Situated in the Deux-Sèvres department of western France, the company was born into a region in which brushes were already commonly employed. Following a disease that affected the locally dominant wine crop, gradually larger areas of land were given over to grazing. Encouraged by the resultant increase in the breeding of farm animals, the dairy industry grew, as did the need for the brushes that were widely used to clean the milk tanks – a fact that was taken advantage of by Victor, and his business was conceived.

As time passed, Victor desired even greater autonomy and embarked on a variety of different ventures, including developing a silk trade with Algeria and the purchase of a windmill to work wood, but it was the installation of the production workshop in Niort that built the foundations of the company we see today.

After two world wars, several economic and health crises, and 5 generations later, the company is very well-versed in how to adapt and continues to innovate and evolve to this day.

The timeline below outlines some of the most important dates in the company’s history: 

1897 – The company was created by Victor Brenet

1956 – First semiautomatic machine used

1962 – First automatic machine used

1975 – Automation and specialisation

1999 – Social progress (4-day work/35 hours)

2011 – Awarded EPV (The excellence of French savoir-faire) - highlighting unique companies that know how to reconcile innovation and tradition.

2017 - Awarded Best Company in Circular Economy (regional)

2018 – Awarded Best Company in Social and Economic Responsibility (regional)

2022 – FEIBP Innovation Award for Washnet – machine for hygienic cleaning of brushes

2023 - 125th anniversary + Brenet book telling the story from its creation to the current day 

2023 – Hosting and participating in the exhibition “From Broom to Art”, featuring over 400 brushes “Made in France” by French brush makers being held 19/06 till 30/07/23.

The first ingredient is family engagement, passed down by its ancestors as a real heritage to be protected.

The second ingredient is the partners who form the basis of the company and allow it to develop and be a part of something more important. Firstly, there are the partners who supply the machines and raw materials and who are attentive to Brosserie Brenet’s special demands and constraints. Without them, no brush could be produced today.

Then, there are local and financial partners; its representatives that sustain projects and help in the company’s transition. 

There are also the fellow brush makers who generously shared their know-how and helped in the development of commercial partnerships and preparations for the future.

Finally, there is the European Brush Federation (FEIBP), an organization of which the company has been a long-term active member (initially through the French Brush Federation), always available to give advice.

But this is still not enough: the third ingredient, the last but not the least, is the team. Without their know-how, their passion, their everyday investment and the unique experience they gained over the years, Brosserie Brenet would never be celebrating its 125th anniversary. Thanks to their crafty hands and exceptional ideas, the company received its EPV (Excellence of French Savoir-Faire) trophy in 2011.

Brosserie Brenet is specialised in technical brushes for any industry for any application for all purposes. Its brushes are high-end, made-to-measure and approximately 40 new products are created per month, specially adapted to today's industrial requirements. Through creative synergies and its flexibility, Brosserie Brenet is confident that it can continue to lead the way in brush innovation for another 125 years.. and beyond!

Thank you for being part of the #Brenet adventure!