Comment passer en quelques années d’une petite entreprise d’agencement de deux personnes à une structure rayonnant dans toute la France ? Tout simplement en relevant les défis les plus ambitieux en tant qu’agenceur et transformateur de solid surface.

Near Lyon, in the commune of Pont-d’Ain (Ain), Atelier Hanggi was taken over in 2019 by Pierre Archeny, who has developed the company to serve projects in the Lyon region, throughout France, and in neighbouring Switzerland. The company relies on an integrated manufacturing workshop and design office to support architects and construction professionals from design through to installation. Equipped with a state-of-the-art machine park, Atelier Hanggi produces bespoke fittings and furniture for cafés, hotels and restaurants, retail and commercial spaces, offices and tertiary environments. Its main strength lies in strong expertise in solid surface (such as Corian), enabling the design of vanity units, counters, cladding and custom technical components.

Une reprise qui ressemble à une création

“This is a takeover that feels like a creation,” recalls Pierre Archeny, 54. When he acquired Jean-Luc Hanggi’s business, the joinery and fit-out workshop was operating locally with just one employee. With the former owner retiring, Pierre Archeny, coming from the plastics industry, took on what he describes as a bold challenge: taking over the business. “Interior fit-out has always interested me. I had carried out personal renovation projects, and my experience in plastics processing created a natural link with solid surface materials such as Corian.” He had to learn, retrain, and adapt to a new environment, managing daily interactions with clients and suppliers… in short, Pierre Archeny got started. “I gave myself two years to make it work.” This was followed by the modernisation of production equipment and team expansion. First came the investment in an edge banding machine and a five-axis CNC machine. Other machines followed: a panel saw, then a new edge bander with return conveyor.

Agrandissement et rénovation

After two years of activity, Pierre Archeny looked for an expansion solution. Initially searching for a building of around 1,000–1,500 m², he eventually found one of over 3,000 m²: “This building had been abandoned for more than ten years. It required major renovation work. I got my hands dirty with the help of friends and company employees, who came to knock down partitions, dismantle, sort, clean and strip the offices. The building refurbishment followed an ESG approach. For the workshop layout, I chose to use beetle-damaged wood [wood from trees affected by bark beetles, NDLA] that I had available. Existing insulation and electrical equipment were removed and reused in the refurbished building. A 2,000 m² solar panel installation was fitted on the roof; we are energy self-sufficient and sell the surplus. We even received an award from the Ain department in recognition of this initiative. State authorities also supported the project; we were awarded funding from the “Friche” scheme, a grant for the redevelopment of an industrial brownfield site.” A reception and storage area, a machining workshop, an assembly workshop, a dedicated solid surface processing area, and a finished goods storage depot were also created. A layout modelled on industrial environments, designed to avoid workflow intersections.

Une évolution ambitieuse

Today, the company employs 16 staff, rising to around twenty including temporary workers and installers. It has expanded first across the Rhône-Alpes region, then to the Paris region, and now throughout France and Switzerland: “We work exclusively with the tertiary sector, retail, hospitality, and sometimes residential projects.” The design office uses TopSolid, and a management team oversees business development. Turnover has exceeded two million euros, with the goal of sustaining steady growth.

Expertise

Atelier Hanggi’s expertise in interior fit-out is based on the combination of experienced joiners’ know-how and a modern, fully equipped digital workshop. Thanks to precise design and manufacturing methods, bespoke projects are executed with a high level of control over detailing, adjustments and finishes. The team works with all types of materials (solid wood, technical panels, laminates, veneers, innovative materials) and can integrate, depending on project requirements, metalwork elements, glazing, and discreet integrated lighting solutions. This versatility typical of fit-out specialists makes it possible to design complete, aesthetic assemblies built to last and perfectly suited to end uses. The company also works with solid surface materials thanks to a dedicated workshop designed to meet the specific requirements of this material: mastery of shaping, thermoforming, invisible bonding and seamless finishing ensures perfect continuity. On site, adjustments and finishing work (sanding, joints) are carried out to guarantee a uniform and durable result.

La reconnaissance des savoir-faire

The company’s expertise is now recognised nationwide. Two years ago, it was invited to join PRO A, a collective launched by the French Interior Fit-Out Federation (see interview with its president Xavier Champs in L’Agenceur issue 83). This membership confirms both the technical relevance of the company and its alignment with the group’s values: uniting to deliver solutions and prepare for the future of the profession. “The company’s solid surface expertise has also been recognised through a prestigious certification: we are now an approved Corian fabricator.” This recognition confirms the skills of employees trained in the material as well as their thermoforming expertise, enabling for example the creation of rounded edges that limit bacterial buildup — a key requirement for hospitals, dental practices, sanitary facilities, fast-food counters, and more.

Le projet au global

Atelier Hanggi handles the technical design of projects based on architects’ specifications. Offices, cinemas, retail spaces… are complemented by high-end apartment renovations for clients who are primarily interior architects: “We take the project as a whole, from design by our engineering office to the manufacture of bespoke furniture where we integrate lighting, metalwork, upholstery fabrics for seating… and installation, which we supervise using installation teams available throughout France.”

Projects are varied: reception desks and counters for the Arena Grand Paris performance hall in Villepinte, the future headquarters of Schlüter Systems, dental practices, retail stores, optical shops, workspaces, reception areas, tea kitchens, break areas for companies, partition screens, meeting rooms, wall cladding, display units…

Développement commercial et communication

Pierre Archeny oversees business development: he meets clients directly and joins various professional networks to increase the company’s visibility. In addition to joining PRO A, he has become a board member of Fibois 01, an association dedicated to developing the wood industry. He has also joined the Club Chic de Lyon, which brings together companies and architects working in hospitality. This helps the company gain recognition and be listed as a supplier. On the communication side, Atelier Hanggi is active across most social media platforms.

Challenges welcome!

Private tenders, issued by construction clients and major architectural firms that the company aims to work with, are carefully reviewed: “We respond in strict compliance with specifications, of course, and we prioritise a comprehensive technical offer. When there is a challenge to overcome, such as specific technical demands or research into solutions to meet project requirements, our team — which loves a challenge — switches into ‘competition mode’.” No fear at all!

By Pierre-Olivier Chanez

Photo credits: Atelier Hanggi, Marc Forzi, Nicolas Grosmond

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