XVIIth century
From Royal Manufactory to industry
Founded during the reign of Louis XIV, the Royal Manufactory of mirror glass developed a revolutionary procedure that involved casting glass on a metal table. It opened its main production site in a small village in the northeastern part of the Kingdom from which it took its name: Saint-Gobain.
XVIIIth century
A period of prosperity and development
The mirror glass works benefited not only from royal orders as soon as it opened for business, but also and even more so from the soaring popularity of mirrors among the general population. This and its monopoly on mirror glass making helped guarantee the Manufactory’s prosperity.
XIXth century
Progression of the glass market
Confronted with the emergence of strong international competition, Saint-Gobain developed a large chemical business that supported the expansion of glass works outside of France. Glass was becoming a construction material in its own right with the growth of architecture combining steel and glass for large public buildings such as railway stations, exhibition centers, greenhouses, indoor food markets, covered walkways and department stores.
XXth century
Industrial revolutions and modern times
The 20th century was one of diversification: after focusing almost exclusively on manufacturing mirror glass since its was founded, Saint-Gobain now became interested in all types of glass products.
XXIst century
A worldwide Group backed by 350 years of history
Saint-Gobain group has refocused on its sustainable habitat strategy and accelerated its international expansion.