EMO Workshop: Troyes knits in the spotlight

The history of the EMO workshop dates back to 1978, formerly known as Home Mauchauffée, one of Troyenne's renowned knits factories of the 19^th century. At the time, the company employed over 3,000 people and was Europe's largest hosiery manufacturer. Relocation and globalization forced Home Mauchauffée to close its doors in 1978. That same year, 60 of the company's employees decided to carry on the legacy by founding EMO, the name of the emblematic Home Mauchauffée brand. This takeover marked the start of a new adventure for the workshop, which decided to diversify by turning to the manufacture of underwear and Knits garments.

Traditions and savoir-faire

Since then, EMO, which is chaired by Dominique Regazzoni, has manufactured all knit weaves in 100% natural fibers, including jersey, ribbed 1/1, interlock, fleece, stripe and jacquard knits. The workshop is unique in that it has preserved old knitting machines with sizes, originally used to make seamless underwear. "At the time, this reduced waste and cut costs" explains Olivier Garcia. The workshop is equipped with a vast machine park ranging from 14 to 28 gauge, including circular ribbed edge tenants knitting machines.

Today, EMO employs 80 people and specializes in co-contracting. The workshop delivers a finished product to a brand, putting its stamp on it. "The whole process is integrated, from knitting to dyeing, via technical fashion design, cutting and garment making. Brands send us their sketches, choose their fabrics on site, and we deliver the finished product.The dyeing stage is carried out in their own SOTRATEX dyeing workshop, labeled "Oeko-Tex Standard 100" and "GOTS" (Global Organic Textile Standard). As for the EMO workshop, it has been awarded the "France Terre Textile" and "Troyes Champagne Terre Textile" labels.

Emo's customers are mainly high-end brands, luxury Home and a few young designers. The workshop makes clothes mainly for Women, but also for Men and Children. "We also sometimes work on more technical garments, particularly in the health and medical fields," explains Olivier Garcia.

However, Olivier Garcia highlights the challenges of "Made in France", notably "the rising costs of energy and transport, which impact manufacturing prices. Recruitment problems and the replacement of retiring workers are also major issues." For all that, Olivier Garcia remains confident and is committed to maintaining a stable production capacity thanks to his loyal customer base.

EMO has preserved its ancestral savoir-faire and is ready to take on the challenges of Made in France, while perpetuating the traditions of the French knits capital.

For more information: https://www.emo.fr/