Real Stamm: knitwear expertise

Beginning with garment making for fishermen, the Breton brand has evolved towards creative, contemporary collections. Following its takeover by the Nantes Commercial Court, the brand refocused on Knits, its original professions. From 45 employees at the time of the takeover to over 70 today, the company is built on two pillars: its own Royal Mer brand, which accounts for 75% of sales, and its industrial facilities, which make its savoir-faire available to external contractors. This winning strategy has enabled the company to revitalize its business and position itself as a key player in quality Knits, while continually innovating to meet market demands.

A return to the roots of incomparable savoir-faire

Hervé Coulombel, President of Real Stamm. Photo credits :© Real Stamm / Royal Mer">

On their arrival, the Coulombel brothers relaunched the brand's reputation and set out to win new customers."We recovered gradually, but in 2020, our wholesale-based business model was severely affected by widespread closures due to Covid. We bounced back with the rapid development of a seamless knitted face mask, approved by the DGA as category 1. Demand exploded, and we doubled our sales in four months, operating on a three-shift basis (...) This responsiveness saved the company"explains the chairman.

With mask production having stopped as abruptly as it had started, the following years are marked by a post-Covid drop in activity in 2021, followed by strong growth in the following two years. Despite an overall slowdown in consumption linked to rising energy costs and the effects of inflation, Royal Mer stays the course in 2024 thanks to a more preserved coastal distribution.

The know-how and quality of the company's products are in demand. The professions of programmer, hosiery maker, cutter, embroiderer, linking knitwear machine and button maker are practiced with extreme attention to detail. Training and skills transfer are mainly carried out through apprenticeships in the workshop, with each employee learning directly from the oldest. This helps preserve rare and precious techniques."It takes 18 months to train a linking knitwear machine, and there are hardly any left to recruit", emphasizes Hervé Coulombel, highlighting the rarity and importance of these savoir-faire.

Quality and durability: the hallmark

Quality has always been the watchword at Royal Mer. From the moment the threads are received, a meticulous quality control process is implemented throughout the production chain, ensuring the exceptional durability that has become the brand's signature.

As a sign of this confidence, a navy sweater "guaranteed for life" has been on offer since last winter. "We especially notice intergenerational transmissions, the sweater often remains almost intact because we have a manufacturing process with quality controls at every stage"explains the manager.

At Royal Mer, sustainability is also ecological. The GOTS-certified workshop sorts its wool offcuts and does its utmost to recycle them: "Owe also use leftover threads to make products that we sell in our factory outlet, so we have very few material offcuts in the end."

Innovation and diversification: the future of Royal Mer

Crédit photos :© Real Stamm / Royal Mer">

The company doesn't just stay true to its traditions, it continually innovates. In addition to its famous sweaters, it is diversifying its production with the creation in early 2022 of the KNIT-1 sneaker in knits, ultra-light, 100% made in France, with recycled polyester and rubber, assembled at Manufacture 49. This initiative demonstrates the company's ability to extend its savoir-faire to new markets, as evidenced by the innovation trophy received on this occasion. "The real expertise lies in our highly qualified team and our constantly innovating product development unit", proudly declares Hervé Coulombel.

Another innovation, the company recently developed and perfected an exoskeleton device, marketed under the CORFOR brand, facilitating load-bearing assistance. "We're already thinking about new improvements and versions of the product", says Hervé Coulombel. "We want to develop technical and durable products, whatever their typology". Research and development (R&D) plays a crucial role, as the president explains:"when you master the material and the technique, the capabilities are unlimited. We systematically invite brands to come and visit the workshop, as this can give them ideas", underlining the importance of collaboration and continuous innovation, which can be applied to a wide range of fields: technical industries, luxury packaging, home and decoration, etc.

For more information: https://www.royal-mer.com/

To consult the Real Stamm company sheet: https://maisondusavoirfaire.com/entreprises/real-stamm