Compagnie des forges et aciéries de la marine et d'Homécourt
| Industry | Iron and steel manufacture |
|---|---|
| Founded | Saint-Chamond, Loire, France (14 November 1854) |
| Headquarters | , France |
| Products | Iron and steel |
The Compagnie des forges et aciéries de la marine et d'Homécourt (FAMH) was a French industrial enterprise specializing in iron and steel production, primarily serving the French navy, army, and railway sectors. It is frequently referred to as Saint-Chamond after its principal site in Saint-Chamond, Loire.
Origins
In 1815, the English industrialist James Jackson established a steel mill near Saint-Étienne at Trablaine. After his return to England around 1823, his French-naturalized sons founded a prominent steelworks at Assailly in 1830.
Mechanics H. Pétin and J. M. Gaudet launched workshops in 1837 at both Saint-Chamond, Loire and Rive-de-Gier, introducing one of the earliest steam hammers by 1841. They subsequently advanced production methods through innovations such as mobile cranes and hydraulic presses.
Since 1771, the Neyrand brothers had operated coal mines and ironworks in the Gier river valley. Their business evolved into Neyrand frères et Thiollière in 1845 to manage an expanded facility at Lorette, Loire. Separately, in 1854 the partnership Parent, Schaken, Goldsmid et Cie was formed to acquire forges from the Vierzon company spanning multiple locations.
On 14 November 1854, these four entities—Jackson Frères, Pétin et Gaudet, Neyrand-Thiollière, Bergeron et Cie of Lorette, and Parent, Schaken, Goldsmid et Cie of Paris—combined to create the Compagnie des Hauts-fourneaux, forges et aciéries de la Marine et des chemins de fer. Initially headquartered in Rive-de-Gier, this firm integrated coal mining, iron processing, and sales operations.
The company moved its headquarters to Saint-Chamond on 9 November 1871 and became a limited liability company. Its manufacturing facilities remained concentrated within the Loire basin at Saint-Chamond and Assailly.
Early years
In response to economic difficulties in 1874, Pierre de Montgolfier-Verpilleux was appointed general director. During his tenure until 1908, annual turnover increased from 20 million to 80 million francs. He concentrated efforts on the Saint-Chamond and Assailly plants by developing specialized products that bolstered the company’s standing. At Saint-Chamond, he constructed a forge capable of producing ingots weighing up to 80 tons and installed a steam hammer with a ram force of 100 tons.
Montgolfier also expanded arms manufacturing at Saint-Chamond and supplied substantial quantities of rails to leading French railway companies. In 1881, he established the Forges du Boucau near Bayonne, created to facilitate the Midi railway network’s upgrade from iron rails to steel. Between 1887 and 1890, extensive workshops were built producing land turrets for France’s eastern fortifications as well as export markets such as Romania; additionally manufacturing train shields and naval turrets.
The company broadened its reach eastward and northward in 1903 by acquiring Vezin-Aulnoye's assets, including factories located at Homécourt along with iron mines at Hautmont. This expansion prompted its renaming as Compagnie des forges et aciéries de la Marine et d'Homécourt.
World War I
Throughout World War I (1914-1918), the firm manufactured a range of armaments, including the notable Saint Chamond-Mondragón 75 mm artillery piece chiefly designed by Colonel Rimailho, the Saint-Chamond tank, and the debated Chauchat machine rifle. Additionally, it produced naval artillery, such as quadruple gun turret systems intended for the incomplete s.
Later mergers
In 1932, the company expanded by acquiring Neyrand et Cie along with its factory located in Onzion, Loire. Following World War II, major organizational changes took place: by 1950, properties in the eastern and northern regions were transferred to the Lorraine-based SIDELOR company, allowing a strategic concentration of activities in the Loire area.
The year 1952 saw a merger with Compagnie des Aciéries de Saint-Étienne, resulting in the formation of Compagnie des Forges et Aciéries de la Marine et Saint-Étienne. By 1954, this entity evolved into a holding company that united its industrial ventures with Établissements Jacob Holtzer and Usine de la Loire des Aciéries et Forges de Firminy under the umbrella of Compagnie des Ateliers et Forges de la Loire (CAFL).
Subsequent consolidations occurred in 1961 when it merged with Firminy to create Compagnie des forges et aciéries de la Marine, Firminy et Saint Étienne, which was rebranded as Marine-Firminy in 1968. That same year marked the conclusion of its locomotive production, highlighted by the completion of SNCF Class A1AA1A 68000 series units.
In March 1970, Marine-Firminy combined forces with , leading to the establishment of the Creusot-Loire holding company. The 1973 oil embargo precipitated a steel industry downturn; consequently, in 1974, the French government undertook nationalization of steel manufacturing.
During this period, Marine-Wendel was created through acquisition of most industrial and commercial assets from Lorraine-based companies.