Balsan’s roots go all the way back to France under the reign of Louis XV, to the Manufacture Royale that produced carded sheets and uniforms. Over the centuries, the family’s passion for the world of textiles has firmly carried the business, now a well-established brand, into the 21st century.
The company today employs 220 employees at its two manufacturing sites in France, making high-quality colourful textile flooring for offices, hospitality (hotels, restaurants, cinemas and similar) as well as homes, of which about half is exported. Since 2006, Balsan has been part of Belgotex International, a Belgian group operating in four continents.
“The family spirit and ethos still drive the company, which has achieved its success due to close customer relationships, innovation and cutting-edge technology, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly operations,” says company CEO Christophe Pouille.
He further points out that Balsan is a French market leader that markets its collections of broadlooms and tiles in over 75 countries. “The know-how of our employees, combined with the cutting-edge technology of our green factory, has made Balsan one of the top 3 producers of contract textile floors in Europe.”
What is behind this impressive position in a highly competitive market? “The key elements explaining our success include combining tufting and dyeing with the key words ‘Colour Your Dreams’, as well as going for personalisation, letting customers design their own floor. Another advantage is the ‘Made in France’ production, from the style development to the final product,” Pouille explains.
“The focus on excellence and premium quality demonstrated by our nearly three centuries of existence, and the fast response enabled by our rapid decision-making process, are other factors that differentiate Balsan from the rest.”
Synergy of quality and sustainability
The company offers one of the broadest ranges of tufting technology available in Europe and Pouille explains that with the acquisition of the computer yarn placement (CYP) technology, Balsan is the only company in Europe that can offer several collections tufted with recycled, solution-dyed yarn, in either wall-to-wall or modular formats.
He affirms that sustainability is a major topic for Balsan, and a commitment to protecting the environment has been ingrained in the business for decades. “Sustainability is a great opportunity for us, as it allows either to differentiate, or to bring carpets back into people’s choice options.”
“Our carpets are made of polyamide (nylon), a very durable and robust material that can be 100% recycled. Generally, we are moving to a circular economy. We pursue an eco-design concept – right from the product design phase, environmental issues are taken into consideration, anticipating post-product-life processing. Eco-design is incorporated into the heart of our product lines. ”
Balsan operates its own water treatment plant and over the last five years the company has reduced its water consumption by 52%. Renewable energy is now in focus –Balsan’s Neuvy site is powered by 100% green energy and for every MWh consumed, 1 euro is used by EDF Entreprises to finance renewable-energy research projects, or to build new renewable energy power stations in France.
In 2013, the company achieved its goal of sending zero waste to landfill and this achievement has been maintained ever since. What is more, 80% of the packaging used to send out rolls of Balsan carpet is made from recycled material and 100% of these packaging products are recyclable.
The comeback of textile flooring
Pouille says that Balsan has been experiencing double-digit growth since the end of the pandemic as customers re-discover the advantages of fabric flooring. “We notice that people are increasingly paying attention to acoustic performance, air quality (VOC emissions), comfort in walking (or falling in older age), in addition to sustainability.”
“All those elements play a key role in the quality of life in workplaces and homes. Textile flooring is confirming its legitimacy in the office sector, as it does in the hospitality segment or in communal areas. Private consumers are now taking a new look at textile flooring, and we are happy to note a comeback of the category, thanks to the ‘premiumisation’ of the offer.”
Committed to innovation, the company last year enhanced its portfolio with a second commercial brand – Carus – with a view to proposing “good-better-best” collections according to tastes and budget, says Pouille, adding that the textile offering is complemented by luxury vinyl tiles, natural fibres and new ranges of carpets finished as rugs. “These other categories will also contribute to fuelling our growth.”
“However, this growth, coupled with the integration of many new top-end technologies, requires new talents and finding the right people is a permanent challenge, ” he admits, stressing that as part of Belgotex International Group, Balsan has many job opportunities for a full career in France but also in other production centres or distribution companies of the parent company, such as Associated Weavers, Lano and Belgotex in South Africa and Brazil.
Progressing in partnerships
Being part of a family-owned company with a long-term vision also means that investment in business development is continuous, regardless of market fluctuations. “Over the last three years, top-end tufting machines have been acquired and new projects are in the pipeline. Our integrated R&D, supported by external specialists, is always on the lookout for new technological opportunities,” says Pouille.
“Investment is also made in securing proximity to customers by recruiting sales people to offer Balsan’s range in new markets such as the Middle and Far East, as well as in increasing local customer service and field-designers’ presence to provide better support for bespoke made-to-order products. We have recently expanded our team with new talents in the UK and Germany as well as in our Export Department and will continue to invest in further team expansion.”
Needless to say, suppliers are an integral part of Balsan’s growth, past and future. “Our suppliers are our real partners, working hand-in-hand with us on product developments in terms of texture, colour trends, sustainable possibilities,” Pouille affirms.
“Their production excellence, consistent reliability in terms of lead times and responsiveness are key to our success,” he Pouille. “In this respect, we express our gratitude to our suppliers such as Kolon, the Korean chemical and textile manufacturer, for their continuous support, and B.I.G.Yarns, which is now entering the world of recycled yarns with its new sustainable yarn offer. ”
Looking ahead, he says: “Many of our partners are now convinced that heavy commercial textile flooring made of solution-dyed and recycled yarn are what they need, and they are including us in their new programmes. For this reason, we are optimistic about the future, as the previously unfriendly environment is changing.”
