A standard for French companies combining industrial know-how and excellent craftsmanship, the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label allows its winners to promote La French Touch internationally.

Soap factory Le Serail, Duvivier Canapés, Bonnat Chocolatier or even Billard Toulet… These brands, mastering rare know-how, are among the Living Heritage Company labels.
Created in 2005, the EPV label – attached to the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery – is managed by the National Institute of Crafts (INMA) and is awarded by the prefects of the region for five years. . His goal : " enhance the high technicality, creativity or cultural significance resulting from manufacturing activity ».

Nearly 1 companies now have the EPV label. Rigorously selected on file, opinions and visits according to various criteria, they are divided into eight market universes: industrial, medical and mechanical equipment; table Arts ; culture & communications; gastronomy; architecture & built heritage; fashion & beauty; furnishing & decoration; leisure & transport. But above all, they have in common that 400% of their turnover comes from exports.

A true guarantee of the excellence of a know-how and surety of the financial solidity of the establishment, this label appears as a commercial argument of weight vis-à-vis international partners and prospects. " The EPVs represent a breeding ground with strong export potential : they are financially solid, respect a social responsibility approach and master a rare and highly technical traditional know-how. Without forgetting the importance of made in France! “, explains Sébastien Vicente, head of the Art de vivre category of the export department of Business France (the public agency in charge of the internationalization of French companies and the attractiveness of France, editor’s note).

“The EPV label reassures our international partners”

At Laguiole in Aubrac in Aveyron, labeled EPV for twenty years, each knife is worked from A to Z then signed by its craftsman. Christian Valat, its manager, makes it a point of honor to offer innovative ranges personalized by country. " The tradition that lives is that which lives in the manner of its time “, underlines the leader, who specifically launched his production of knives in 1992 for the international market.

The company now has 72 employees and generates 74% of its turnover from exports, including 50% in Germany and the United States. The reason for this global success? Customized ranges by country that tell a story to international customers, while promoting the historical French know-how of the “Laguiole”. Parts recovered from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco for the American Laguiole, parts of Porsche vehicles for the knife intended for the German market or even extracts from Australian vines: the particularity of Laguiole en Aubrac lies in its attention to detail and customization specifically for foreign countries.

The brand now benefits from a 7m² space at Harrods in London, the EPV label having clearly played in favor of the selection of the cutler by the brand. " The EPV label eliminates the debate on the quality of our products and reassures our international partners. The man can cheat in words, falsify a document, but the cultural heritage remains untouchable “, explains with passion Christian Valat.

A label still little known outside our borders

In the opinion of Sébastien Vicente of Business France, the EPV label is not so much an asset for finding international partners as a national label for being spotted by financial or commercial partners who can then help the company to prosper. internationally. " The name EPV will not necessarily appeal to Dubai residents, Americans or Japanese. It's a bit the limit of the exercise. “, he specifies. " But this is ultimately not the most important, since the assets recognized locally by the EPV label indirectly allow the company to evolve internationally. ».

For his part, the leader of Laguiole regrets the ease with which the renewal of the label takes place after five years. " The specifications remain the same but I think that a physical and thorough check would be beneficial to the credibility of the label. “says Christian Valat, also a supporter of a paid renewal of the label.
Despite these areas for improvement, the EPV label nonetheless creates jobs in France and promotes French know-how beyond borders.