Fermob Furniture

Fermob is an icon of French furniture design that is celebrated worldwide for its vibrantly colored metal furniture. Even at its inception, Fermob was a brand that looked for opportunities to innovate and reshape the industry. Originally a manufacturer of iron tables and chairs, the brand now offers a range of superior-quality metal outdoor furniture – from designer sofas, sun loungers, dining tables, and armchairs to decorative accessories and a recently introduced outdoor lighting collection. Fermob revolutionized the outdoor furniture sector with its chart of bright and contrasting colors; thanks in no small part to its 24 cheery options, Fermob’s products possess that “special something” that makes its metal outdoor furniture instantly recognizable and extra enjoyable.

Fermob’s respect for the environment is reflected in its corporate strategy. The company is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), a nonprofit coalition of manufacturers and retailers dedicated to sustainability and environmentally sound processes. In 2017, Fermob was the fourth manufacturer to earn Gold Exemplary Recognition for its achievements for sustainability and implementation of a range of best practices, including its environmentally friendly raw materials, zero-waste in-house powder painting line, selective waste-sorting policy, and commitment to eco-design principles from product design to packaging.

History

Starting in the 1890s and for much of the 20^th century, Fermob was a small ironworks company with just two products: an old-fashioned scrolled chair and the traditional Bistro folding chair with wooden slats (that had to be repainted every summer!) In 1989, the company was acquired by Fermob’s current CEO, Bernard Reybier, who saw enormous potential in the brand. With his incredible foresight and a sense of unshakeable conviction, Reybier set Fermob on a path of 30-plus years of continuous growth. Today, from its 160,000-plus-square-foot headquarters in Thoissey (Ain), France, Fermob continues to cement its market-leading position and stand out from the competition. More than 650,000 Fermob pieces are produced every year.

Materials

Metal (steel and aluminum) remains the principal raw material in Fermob’s furniture collections. Metal is also one of the few materials with a globally economical recycling system (98 percent of all metals worldwide are recycled). It’s also built to last; Fermob’s expertise in metal processing makes its furniture remarkably resistant to UV rays, stormy weather, and stains.

When sourcing its outdoor technical fabrics, Fermob selects suppliers with strict sustainability standards to ensure that all canvas components are recycled. These fabrics are tear-proof, resistant to deformation, and are treated to protect against mold and UV rays. They are also comfortable, eliminating the need for cushions, and remarkably manage to stay cool even in direct sunlight.

Designers

Fermob frequently works with established and up-and-coming designers from all walks of life. These partnerships give rise to bold, ambitious furniture designs that always manage to combine beauty with pragmatism, clean lines with attractiveness, and comfort with ease of use. Fermob’s designer partners include:

• French designers Frédéric Sofia (Lorette, Luxembourg, Ultrasofa, Airloop, and Sixties); Pascal Mourgue (Croisette, Plein Air, Latitude, Dune, Alizé, Face a Face, Rendez-Vous, and Alfred); Patrick Jouin (Kate and Facto); Juliette Liberman (Charivari Bench); Olivier Gence (La Mome Chair); Antoine Lesur (Cadiz and Calvi); Matali Crasset (Stripe Chair); and Tristan Lohner (Bebop, Moon, Balad, Rest’o, and Alpô)
• Austrian-born designer Harald Guggenbilchler (Flower, Surprising, Origami, and Harry)
• Moroccan-born fashion designer Jean-Charles (“JC”) de Castelbajac (Ange Chair)
• Italian-born designer Fabio Meliota (Basket Planters)
• mother-and-daughter duo Andrée and Olivia Putman of Studio Putman (Inside Out Table)
• design revolutionary Terence Conran (Kintbury Chair), head of the Conran Group, which owns restaurants, shops, and hotels around the world
• Fabien Cagani and Laurent Matras of design studio Delo Lindo (Odéon Armchair)
• Patrick Pagnon and Claude Pelhaître of Pagnon & Pelhaître (Bellevie Collection)
• Pablo Figuera and Alvaro Goula from Barcelona-based Goula / Figuera (Salsa Collection)
• industrial design firm Mermelada Estudio (Pasaia Shower), founded by Laura Blasco, Juanmi Juárez, and Alex Estévez

Projects

Since the 1900s, when lemonade sellers served peppermint cordial on Fermob’s Bistro tables, there has been a strong link between Fermob and hospitality establishments. Today, Fermob furniture graces the gardens, terraces, patios, balconies, rooftops, poolside areas, and beaches of some of the world’s most luxurious private residences, hotels, and restaurants, including: Sofitel Golfe d’Ajaccio in Corsica; Hôtel Regent’s Garden in Paris; Hotel Hameau des Baux in Paradou, France; CitizenM Hotel New York City; Grace Hotel, Auberge Resort, in Santorini; and Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. You can also find Fermob furniture in Times Square and Bryant Park in New York City; the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta; Jardin Des Tuileries in Paris; and Constitution Square in Mexico City, among many others.

“Fermob offers a sense of joie de vivre around, from intimate gardens to trendy rooftops and some of the world’s most iconic public spaces.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of material does Fermob use?
Fermob uses top-grade metal (steel or aluminum) for its incredible versatility. Fermob furniture can be either exclusively metal or a combination of metal and OTF (outdoor technical fabric, a type of PVC-coated polyester), woven polymer, or fabrics from renowned suppliers such as Ferrari and Dickson.

Is Fermob furniture treated for the outdoors?
Fermob furniture benefits from special anti-corrosion treatment. Two treatments are offered: High Protection and Very High Protection, the latter of which provides optimum protection against very wet, humid, or salty conditions. The anti-UV powder paint used is 100 percent polyester, subject to standards tests for baking, hardness, resistance to scratches, and corrosion. It is applied electrostatically to the furniture for optimal coverage, then baked at a high temperature.

Can Fermob be placed in saltwater environments?
Fermob’s furniture is engineered for the elements. However, salt water can be harsh, and even stainless steel will begin to rust over time. Rinsing your furniture regularly with fresh water will help avoid hardware rusting. Fermob offers many aluminum products that are recommended over steel for saltwater environments.

How can I recycle my products?
Fermob furniture is designed and manufactured using recycled and recyclable materials. To help protect the environment, take your packaging and unwanted furniture to your local waste disposal center for recycling.