The Lorin family loves challenges.
For 25 years, the Lorin family has developed its strategy to enable Walor to be a European leader in the field of mechanical parts.
In 1993, two friends, Jim Wallart and Jacky Lorin helped each other to create a free cutting business: Walor.
The first challenge was to start the production of stainless steel airbag parts, from two second-hand machines over 20 years old.
The second was to invest more than 10% of turnover in new equipment to increase and diversify production.
Then, the establishment of sites abroad (the Czech Republic, Romania, Mexico), allowed us to get closer to international customers.
In 2015, with the takeover of the Chambon Feugerolles site, the group begins its diversification
The acquisition in 2017 of the Gévelot group’s extrusion activities has enabled Walor to broaden its skills and develop its range of parts by integrating the forging market. The group consolidated its position in 2018 with the Bogny-sur-Meuse and Vouziers sites.
These successes have enabled Walor to become a key global player in the automotive subcontracting sector.
The Bogny-Sur-Meuse site created in 1925 by Georges Sergeant, Les Ateliers des Janves specialises in forging. It is the European leader in connecting rods.
In 1955, Fritz Dold launched a stamped parts operation in Vöhrenbach (cutting and stamping) in the new LangenbacherStraße a stamped parts operation in Vöhrenbach (cutting and stamping) in the new LangenbacherStraße factory, then cold extrusion in 1958.
In 1959, start of the production of brake pistons, cold forgings for automobiles, on the Laval site created in 1939 by Gévelot.
The site of Toucy (then TMG) founded in 1962, starts the manufacture of gear synchronization rings for Simca.
Today the site is specialist in the production of long pivots.
The Vouziers site was created in 1965 under the name SEMIA. Originally it manufactures lawn mowers, motor cultivators and agricultural machinery, it is from 1974 that its activity takes an orientation towards the automotive market.
The Offranville site was created by Luchaire in 1974 to produce gearbox shafts and shells. In 1989, the site was converted to the production of transmission shafts, airbag bodies and steering column shafts.
The factory of Chambon-Feugerolles comes from a company created in 1986 and established on the current site since 1996.
Creation of Walor in Legé by Jacky Lorin and his friend Jim Wallart. Professional machining, they are launching an innovative process of stainless steel turning that will ensure the development of the site.
Creation of the Research and Development Centre (Laval), with a unique test workshop in Europe. It is now home to Walor Innovation and Walor International.
Eric Lorin, who joined as an operator in 1995, became CEO in 2004, establishes a new factory in Sf. Gheorghe (Romania) near one of the group’s main customers.
The Suzhou (China) site was founded in 2012 to meet the needs of the Chinese car market. Located near Shanghai, it supplies the main automotive players.
Establishment of the Irapuato plant in Mexico to serve the North American market.
Acquisition of the Chambon-Feugerolles site by Walor.
Acquisition of the Gévelot group’s forge activities (Vöhrenbach, Laval, Offranville, Toucy, Suzhou).
Walor acquires two production sites; Ateliers des Janves (Bogny) and Ardennes Machining Inudstries (Vouziers) and consolidates its strategy and organisation.
2021 : Hybrid @ EMobility: TWalor are starting the mass production for the first components Toyota assembled in Europe
On 1 November, the Walor Group joined the FerrAl United Group, an opportunity to continue its development in the market for forged and machined parts for the automotive industry and industrial vehicles.
Acquisition of the Columbus, Ohio (USA) site founded by Hirschvogel in 1988. This acquisition is part of Walor’s strategy to expand its activities in North America.