Wichard SAS

Name

Wichard SAS

Legal name

Wichard SAS

Website

https://wichard.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Hardware

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)

akta.pro primary industry

Deck Fittings & Hardware (Bitts, Fairleads, Cleats, Anchors & Chains) (IMAJAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Marine hardware
• Precision forging
• Stainless steel fittings
• Sailboat rigging
• Industrial forging services

Headquarters

HQ city

Thiers

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine Hardware Products: Sale of forged stainless steel hardware for marine applications including snap hooks, shackles, blocks, cleats, knives, and safety equipment sold through distributors and direct channels.
2. Industrial Forging Services: Custom and standard forged parts for industrial markets including aeronautics, automobile, military, parachuting, lifting, and safety applications. Range from forged blank to finished product.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wichard SAS manufactures and markets marine hardware (snap hooks, shackles, blocks, knives, safety equipment) and precision-forged stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum components for industrial sectors. The company operates through the Wichard Marine brand for nautical products (individuals and professionals) and Wichard Industry for custom and standard forged parts serving aeronautics, military, automotive, parachuting, lifting, and safety applications.

Product overview

Wichard SAS operates as a diversified industrial group specializing in precision forging and marine hardware. The core offering includes Wichard Marine products (snap hooks, shackles, blocks, knives, and safety equipment for nautical applications) and Wichard Industry precision forging services for industrial sectors. The group has expanded through strategic acquisitions including Ronstan (blocks/track systems), Profurl and Facnor (furling systems), Sparcraft, Lorima, and AXXON Composites (masts/rigging), Peguet (quick links), and Maillard (plastic injection). The portfolio is completed by partner brands Andersen Winches and Courant ropes. All products are manufactured in France at the Thiers facility, leveraging expertise in stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, and aluminum forging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 2200 forged pieces produced per hour on automatic line
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LORIMAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Acquired in 2016, LORIMA is a world leader in carbon mast manufacturing for racing and cruising boats. Expertise extends to industrial markets including wind energy, aeronautics, and automotive.
• PeguetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Acquired in 2016, Peguet is the manufacturer of the famous Maillon Rapide brand, offering universal quick links for industrial and sporting applications.
• FacnorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Acquired in 2013, Facnor has been designing and manufacturing innovative sail furling systems since 1981 for maxi-yachts, offshore racing, and coastal/cruising vessels.
• SparcraftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Acquired in 2013, Sparcraft has symbolized excellence in nautical industry since 1962, specializing in design and manufacture of masts, booms, and high-quality rigging.
• ForginoxminorOthers · 1 January 2005Acquired in 2005, Forginox is a cutlery forge located in Thiers, expanding Wichard's manufacturing capabilities.
• ProfurlcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Acquired in 2002, Profurl is a pioneer in the design and manufacture of sail furling systems. Products include manual furlers, continuous line furlers, and motorized furling systems.
• MaillardcoreOthers · 1 January 1994Acquired in 1994, Maillard (based in Saint-Malo) specializes in plastic injection and manufactures the Wichard blocks/pulleys. This acquisition integrated manufacturing capabilities for the marine hardware product line.
• RonstancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian-based company recognized for expertise in design and manufacture of blocks, winches, track systems and other essential sailing equipment. Distributed through Wichard Marine network.
• Andersen WinchescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanish manufacturer of stainless steel winches with over 60 years of experience. Made in Denmark, these winches offer longevity, timeless design, and reliable performance.
• AXXON CompositesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in carbon mast segment for cruise and racing sailboats under 70 feet, specialized in design, manufacturing and commercialization of carbon masts using advanced technologies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seldén Mast: Swedish manufacturer of aluminium masts, booms, rigging and furling systems. Directly comparable to the Sparcraft, Lorima and Profurl brands now under Wichard's ownership.
• Antal Srl: Italian maker of sailing hardware (blocks, jammers, cleats, shackles) for cruising and racing yachts. Overlaps directly with Wichard's marine deck hardware product range in Europe.
• Karver Systems: French marine hardware specialist focused on furlers, blocks and rigging innovations for offshore yachts. Direct French-headquartered competitor in the furler and rigging categories where Wichard's Profurl/Facnor brands compete.
• Spinlock: UK-based designer and manufacturer of rope handling, safety and deck hardware products for sailing. Comparable in the safety equipment and cleat categories alongside Wichard's Lyf'Safe and harness safeguard lines.
• Tylaska Marine Hardware: US manufacturer of high-strength snap hooks, shackles and rigging hardware for sailing and offshore racing. Closely comparable to Wichard's forged snap hook and shackle portfolio.
• C. Sherman Johnson Co. US manufacturer of stainless steel marine rigging hardware, terminals and turnbuckles. Direct competitor in the high-strength rigging fittings category where Wichard sells HR shackles and self-locking designs.
• Schaefer Marine: US manufacturer of marine deck hardware, cleats, hatches and sailing accessories. Comparable product breadth to Wichard Marine for OEM boat builders and aftermarket channels.
• Allen Brothers: UK manufacturer of precision sailing hardware, blocks, snatch blocks and dynamic bearing systems. Competes head-to-head with Wichard in the high-performance dinghy and keelboat rigging segment.
• Harken Inc. US-based leading manufacturer of sailing hardware including blocks, winches, jammers and rope handling products. Direct competitor to Wichard's core snap hook, shackle and block portfolio, serving the same professional and OEM marine customer base globally.

Broad incumbents

• Ronstan International: Australian marine hardware manufacturer of blocks, track, batten cars and sailing fittings. Already distributed via the Wichard Marine network; competes in adjacent categories with broader sailing hardware scope than Wichard's core forged fittings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichardmarine

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wichard SAS