Factory at Noisiel Menier Chocolate

menier factory in noisiel, 1911

in 1825 company began expansion through acquisition of second production facility on land on banks of marne river @ noisiel, @ time small village of less 200 inhabitants @ outskirts of paris. used grinding works production of medicinal powders, modernization of noisiel facility in 1830 made first mechanized mass production factory cocoa powder in france. following development of solid chocolate, menier introduced market block of chocolate wrapped in decorative yellow paper. 1842, success of chocolate business led expansion of noisiel plant , 1853 annual chocolate production reached 4,000 tons.

under leadership of founder s son, emile-justin menier, company concentrated solely on manufacturing of chocolate products. in 1864 sold off pharmaceutical manufacturing part of business , began period of expansion made menier chocolate company largest chocolate manufacturer in france. under emile-justin menier, company purchased cocoa-growing estates in nicaragua along sugar beet fields , sugar refinery @ roye in somme in france.

menier factory in noisiel, 1866



saulnier s building, 2012

beginning in 1860, emile-justin menier oversaw addition of several new buildings then, after constructing factory in london , distribution center in new york city, in 1872 initiated major expansion saw construction of modern production facilities in world. designed architect jules saulnier, many historians cite building first true skeleton structure exterior walls needing simple infill. february 1997 issue of architectural review called 1872 iron , brick chocolate factory @ noisiel 1 of iconic buildings of industrial revolution . in 1992, factory designated government of france official monument historique , on list named unesco world heritage site.

menier factory floor, noisiel, c. 1874



houses in menier company town in noisiel

as result of factory expansions, mid-1880s production capacity @ noisiel plant jumped 125,000 tons annually , company employed 2000 people. because of menier company s rapid growth, shortage of workers available small village forced company try attract labor other towns , cities. however, lack of housing in noisiel made impossible , result, in 1874 menier completed construction of 312 residences on 30 hectares of land near factory. build school employees children , 3 decades later, senior citizens home retired workers. in 1870s, meniers built noisiel town hall family member serve mayor without interruption 11 may 1871 8 november 1959. @ 1878 world s fair in paris, company awarded 7 gold medals plus grand prize excellence of products citations modern production methods , importance company placed on well-being of employees.

following death of emile justin menier, in 1881 sons henri , gaston assumed control of business. eldest son, henri menier became titular head of company. although involved in business, spent great deal of time pursuing various leisure interests , left of company s management brother gaston oversee period of sustained prosperity. of extreme importance sustaining of menier chocolate company s competitiveness several internal , external developments in second half of 1870s , part of 1880s. menier plant added modern refrigeration systems , in 1881 railroad line built noisiel factory reduced costs incoming , outgoing freight , allowed wider , faster distribution. externally, swiss chocolate manufacturers making advancements in product development. began mass production , promotion of milk chocolate , new conching process provided type of chocolate consumers liked because melt in mouth.