Emile Henry, since 1850

A professional result at home, thanks to a innovative refractory ceramic.

Producer of culinary ceramic for over 165 years, Emile Henry is still based in Marcigny where it all began in 1850. With a workforce of around 200, this family-owned company has become a recognized brand all over the world, exporting 80% of its production to over 65 countries, from the United States to Japan, Australia and Russia. At the head of the company since 2012, Jean-Baptiste Henry continues the tradition and savoir-faire that has been handed down from generation to generation. Only natural materials of the highest quality are used in the production of the products, such as non-treated clay and mineral oxides to enhance the colourful glazes. Most of the production techniques are car-ried out by hand, and each piece is signed by the worker who made it; his initials can be found on the bottom of the dish. Yet innovation is a strategic component of the company’s development and evolution. It relies on the determination to constantly develop articles adapted to the new ways of cooking which have appeared on the market, requiring in- novation not only in production techniques but also in the creation of new shapes and colours. « We have recently cre-ated a new tagine, pizza stone and deep flan dish, but also a complete range of items for baking bread, like the baguette baker » comments Jean-Baptiste. « We have focused on homemade cooking and baking, our customers like to take the time to cook and enjoy cooking for others ».

The Stockpot  is a very good example of a classic soup pot which could be found in all French kitchens many years ago. Today, Emile Henry has taken the idea and the original shape to create a modern version with numerous advantag-es adapted to our contemporary lifestyle. Made from Flame ceramic, it can be used to prepare soups or stews with con-trolled, even cooking. Carefully studied technical details distinguish it from its ancestor. For example, the recessed lid prevents the contents from boiling over during cooking. high sides make it easy to use a hand-held blender direct-ly in the pot without splashing. And the top edge has been specifically designed for easy pouring without dripping. Fi-nally, the compact format surprisingly holds a large capacity (4L/4 QT) to easily serve 6-8 people. With its generous curves and vivid colours, the Stockpot is an attractive item for serv-ing directly on the table.

Made entirely from ceramic, a natural and noble material known for its refractory qualities, Emile Henry products offer slow, even cooking which guarantees excellent results. The ingredients are not altered in any way by sudden chang-es in temperature and they conserve their vitamins and nu-tri- tional qualities, creating delicious recipes full of flavour. Ceramic also retains the heat, thus keeping the contents hot once served on the table, right to the end of the meal. With 7 different ranges available, Emile Henry has a dish for everything : ovenware, bakeware, cookware, specialized cooking tools, kitchen tools, tabletop and barbeque. Each piece is unique, combining functionality, elegance and performance with shapes that can be passed on from gen-eration to generation. All products are backed by a 10 year guarantee, and each piece is checked manually to uphold strict production requirements. The result is a high quality and healthy ceramic that can be used on the stovetop, in the oven or on the barbeque.

Maintaining the production in Marcigny is essential to Jean-Baptiste. Much more than providing jobs for the 200 people who invest their time and energy in the company, the « Made in France » is also the guarantee of a high quality product. Proud of the fact that 100% of the production has been carried out in the same village for over 165 years, he in-sists that producing in France is the only way he can create a new pro- duct and have a prototype 4 days later! This reactivity, added to the innovative spirit and the strin-gent production requirements, has allowed the company to be very competitive in creating long-lasting, high quality products, symbols of French heritage and gastronomy. The history of the brand, its authenticity and the quality of the products, coupled with the desire of customers abroad for products which are made in France, are a real opportu-nity for export. This has enabled Emile Henry to export with success for many years now, adapting if necessary certain shapes or colours to specific markets. Emile Henry can now be found in many prestigious stores and chains across the world, such as Williams Sonoma and Sur la Table in the USA, Isetan in Japan and Harrods in the UK.