What Sheet Metal Forezienne does

Tôlerie Forézienne is a French industrial manufacturer founded in 1922, headquartered in Bonson (Loire) with a commercial office in Paris, and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Poujoulat since 1994. The company employs approximately 120 people and operates a 12,000 m² manufacturing facility processing over 2,000 tons of metal per year across a broad materials palette including steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, corten, bronze, brass, copper, wood, ceramic, and recycled inputs. Its core competence is precision sheet metal transformation (cutting, folding, welding, assembly, painting, finishing) combined with proprietary anti-corrosion treatment technology and an in-house R&D unit called TF Lab.

Name

Sheet Metal Forezienne

Legal name

TOLERIE FOREZIENNE

Website

https://tolerie-forezienne.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The company operates through four sub-brands: TF URBAN (design-oriented urban furniture such as benches, bins, planters, shade structures, and ashtrays sold to municipalities), TF FACTORY (precision sheet metal B2B subcontracting for industrial clients), TF SIGNAL (urban and commercial signage panels, including inclusive digital options), and TF Création (bespoke metal fabrication for architects, designers, and artists). Revenue is generated via direct B2B sales and project-based contracts with French public-sector and enterprise buyers; pricing is quote-based with installation handled through wholly-owned subsidiary NovaCité. The business model combines catalog sales of standardized urban furniture with custom-project work, supported by ongoing collaborations with over 30 named designers and active participation in trade events such as Salon des Maires and Paris Design Week.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Street Furniture Manufacturing

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing (332323), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Cladding, Soffits & Trim (Non-Panel Components) (IMADACAM), Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts) (IMAFAMAE), Sheet Metal & Ductwork Contracting (IMAFALAH)

Keywords

• Urban street furniture
• Precision sheet metal
• Metal fabrication services
• Urban signage displays
• Outdoor public furniture

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Urban furniture sales (TF URBAN): Design, manufacturing, and sale of urban street furniture including benches, trash bins, bike racks, planters, shading solutions, and smoking cessation equipment to municipalities and public space managers
2. Precision sheet metal contract manufacturing (TF FACTORY): Precision sheet metal fabrication services for industrial clients, providing custom metal components and assemblies
3. Signage and displays (TF SIGNAL): Manufacturing and supply of metal signage and display solutions for urban and commercial applications
4. Art and architecture projects: Custom metal fabrication for architects, designers, and artists supporting artistic and architectural projects
5. Custom project services: From concept study to prototyping to series manufacturing, with installation services through subsidiary NovaCité

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sheet Metal Forezienne (Tôlerie Forézienne) designs, manufactures, and sells urban street furniture (benches, trash and sorting bins, planters, shade structures, smoking stations) and metal signage through its TF URBAN and TF SIGNAL brands, and provides precision sheet metal contract manufacturing and bespoke metal fabrication for architects, designers, artists, and industrial clients through TF FACTORY and TF CRÉATION. All production is carried out at its 12,000 m² facility in Bonson, France, with installation delivered through subsidiary NovaCitÉ.

Product overview

Tôlerie Forézienne operates as a diversified French manufacturing company with four distinct sub-brands: TF URBAN (urban design furniture), TF FACTORY (precision sheet metal manufacturing), TF SIGNAL (display and signage solutions), and TF CRÉATION/TF Lab (art and architecture projects). The core TF URBAN product portfolio encompasses benches (Circular Bench, Le Forézien, Brive, Blade, Epure), chairs (Icila, 21S, Entre nous), trash and sorting bins (simple/bi-flow/tri-flow models including Quadri, ecoA, Wally, O3, Vigilante), planters (Albatros, Hydrie, Jardikit, Malawa), shade structures (Atolle, Belombra, Dryade parasols, Brum misting device), and complementary urban equipment. TF SIGNAL provides static and digital signage in various formats. TF CRÉATION/TF Lab delivers bespoke metal fabrication for architectural and artistic projects. The company processes over 2000 tons of metal annually, working with steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, Corten steel, bronze, brass, copper, wood, ceramic, and recycled materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TF URBAN: Urban design furniture brand offering a wide range of street furniture including benches, trash bins, cycle parking, smoking areas, and shading solutions.
• TF FACTORY
• TF SIGNAL
• TF Creation

Products and services

• TF URBAN (Urban Street Furniture Collection) Urban design furniture brand offering a complete range of public space equipment including benches, chairs, trash and sorting bins, planters, shade structures, bike racks, lighting, and stools, combining modern aesthetics with urban functionality for municipalities, architects, and public space managers.
• TF FACTORY (Precision Sheet Metal Manufacturing) Precision sheet metal manufacturing division offering high-quality metal transformation services including cutting, bending, welding, and assembly for industrial clients requiring bespoke metalworking solutions.
• TF SIGNAL (Signage and Display Solutions) Displays and signage solutions brand offering static and digital signage panels, directional signage, modular information displays in various formats (1.5m² to 12m²), and custom large-format signage for urban environments and commercial clients.
• TF CRÉATION (Art and Architecture Metal Fabrication) Art and architecture project brand partnering with architects, designers, and artists for bespoke metal fabrication projects including sculptural installations and architectural elements.
• Circular Bench Contemporary circular urban bench designed by Lucile Soufflet, promoting conviviality and social interaction in public spaces. Installed at Jardin Exotique de Monaco.
• Le Forézien Durable zen-inspired urban bench combining natural Douglas wood slats (class III/IV) with a powder-coated steel structure featuring double-layer anti-corrosion protection. Manufactured in Bonson, France by TF Lab.
• Brum (Urban Misting Device) Eco-responsible urban misting device that reduces perceived ambient temperature by 3-5°C, featuring UV-secured filtration and button activation for accessibility in public spaces.
• Collection Brive Complete outdoor furniture collection designed by Marc Aurel, including bench, chair, table, trash bin, and smoking station. Targeted at restaurants, hospitality terraces, and public spaces.
• Albatros (Suspended Planter) Suspended hanging planter designed by Alexis Tricoire for urban landscapes, part of the Métropole range of urban greening products.
• Icila Sculptural outdoor chair designed by Cécile Planchais, suitable for urban and landscape environments.
• Dryade 2000 / Dryade 4500 (Urban Parasols) Steel and aluminum urban parasols for shadowing public spaces, with Dryade 2000 accommodating 4 people (2m span) and Dryade 4500 accommodating 12 people.
• Atolle (Vegetated Shade Structure) Modular vegetated shade structure with 12 seating places, designed for municipalities, landscapers, and architects to create convivial urban spaces.
• Belombra (Vegetated Shade Structure) Vegetated shade structure with organic forms designed for urban, coastal, and natural environments, capable of reducing perceived ambient temperature by up to 9°C.
• Corbeilles de propreté et de tri (Urban Trash and Sorting Bins) Urban trash and sorting bins (110L) available in single-flow, bi-flow, and tri-flow configurations, including Vigipirate-compliant models for high-traffic public areas. The range includes Quadri, ecoA, Zig&Zag, Wally, O2, O3, and Vigilante models.
• Modules Signalétique L716 / L1100 Modular signage in 716mm and 1100mm widths with heights of 1000mm or 1500mm for directional and informational urban signage.
• Vox (Inclusive Directional Signage) Inclusive urban directional signage designed for accessibility in public urban environments.
• Pixel Creator (Architectural Metalwork) Architectural metalwork featuring perforation surfaces for decorative and functional applications in buildings and urban environments.
• Rockgrowth (Art Sculpture) Art sculpture project by Arik Levy combining metalwork with organic growth aesthetics for urban public spaces.
• Collection Upcyclée Re-bau Upcycled outdoor furniture collection manufactured in collaboration with Emmaus and Aurel Design Urbain, promoting sustainable and socially responsible urban furniture.
• External Smoking Stations (Cendrier extérieur) External smoking stations designed for non-smoking public areas following the July 2025 French tobacco law. Range includes Styk, Sawaro, Tempête, and Brive Cendrier models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Processing over 2000 tons of metal annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NovaCitécoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNovaCité is a subsidiary specialized in urban furniture installation. The company ensures consistent quality and project delivery from conception through installation for municipal clients.
• TF FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTF Factory is the precision sheet metal division of Tôlerie Forézienne, focusing on high-precision metal fabrication for industrial clients.
• TF SignalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTF Signal specializes in metal signage and display solutions, extending the company's capabilities in urban communication infrastructure.
• TF CreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTF Creation partners with architects, designers, and artists to bring artistic and architectural metal projects to life, supporting creative professionals through all project phases.
• Design collaborators (30+ designers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaborations with over 30 designers including Pierre Millet, Lucile Soufflet, Christian Ghion, Marc Aurel, Robert Stadler, Michel Tortel, and others for urban furniture collections.
• W CONRANminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign agency collaborating with TF URBAN and FFT (French Tennis Federation) on Roland Garros tournament furniture redesign project.
• French Tennis Federation (FFT)minorOthersClient for Roland Garros tournament furniture project, including design collaboration for player benches, umpire chairs, and court equipment across 18 courts.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• mmcité: Czech Republic-based designer and manufacturer of street and urban furniture with a strong European municipal footprint. Highly comparable to Tôlerie Forézienne on product category (benches, bins, shelters, bike racks), designer-collaboration model, and B2G customer mix across European cities.
• Vestre: Norwegian designer-led outdoor and urban furniture brand selling to municipalities, architects, and developers globally. Directly comparable on designer collaborations, sustainability positioning (FSC wood, recycled steel), and premium street-furniture catalogues targeting public spaces.
• Streetlife: Dutch manufacturer of design street furniture, bridges, and architectural objects for public spaces. Closely comparable on custom architectural metalwork for municipalities, designer-led collections, and European project-based sales to public-sector clients.
• Metalco: Italian designer and producer of urban furniture, bike racks, and architectural street elements. Comparable on integrated design-to-installation model, European municipal customer base, and broad catalogue of benches, planters, and shelters in metal.
• Landscape Forms: US-based manufacturer of high-design site furniture, lighting, and outdoor structures for public spaces. Comparable on designer-partner model, premium positioning, and integrated manufacturing of metal-based benches, bins, and shade structures for institutional and municipal clients.
• Santa & Cole: Spanish design company producing urban furniture, street lighting, and landscaping products with strong designer identity. Comparable on Iberian/European municipal project base, designer collaborations, and focus on warm-climate public-space solutions.
• Furnitubes: UK manufacturer of street furniture, bollards, and architectural metalwork with long heritage (founded 1954) serving UK municipalities and developers. Comparable on metalwork heritage, project-based B2G sales, and architectural metalwork capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Hess GmbH: German manufacturer of outdoor lighting, urban furniture, and public infrastructure with broader portfolio including illuminated bollards and bus shelters. Comparable product category but larger scale and broader product scope than Tôlerie Forézienne, operating as a broader incumbent in the same space.

Emerging players

• Ateliers Jean Nouvel / Actual Design: European design studios and boutique fabricators focused on bespoke architectural metalwork for public and cultural projects. Comparable as adjacent, smaller-scale players competing for the same custom architectural commissions in the cultural-institution and municipal markets.

Others

• Groupe Poujoulat (sister units / industry context): Parent conglomerate and adjacent French metal-fabrication players within the broader smoke-evacuation and metalwork industrial cluster. Relevant as ecosystem context rather than direct competitor; comparable on French industrial base, group-level purchasing leverage, and metal-fabrication know-how.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tf_urban
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdgnYxOG8zVuA37zzwZapkQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/tolerieforezienne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tolerie-forezienne
• Instagraminstagram.com/tfurbanfurniture
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/tfurban

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Sheet Metal Forezienne