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The Guénard family, founder of the Maison
Les huiles Guénard are first and foremost a family saga, rooted in the Cher valley, with historic expertise that has been passed down from generation to generation.
1920/1952 - 1st generation: Octave
Octave Guénard, born in 1892, was brought up in Les Bordes, in the Loiret, by two farmers and oil manufacturers: François & Julie Guénard. In 1913, he joined the army and met Pierre Couffrant from St Aignan sur Cher. His friend was killed in action and after the war he decided to settle in the Loir et Cher, in St Aignan, where his late friend's family lived. As luck would have it, his parents were also oil manufacturers. The region has many walnut trees and the business is widespread.
Octave Guénard began working with his friend's parents and opened his own oil mill in 1920 in the centre of St Aignan. He continued to develop the oil mill until the age of 60, handing over the business to his son Jacques in 1953.
1953/1986 - 2nd generation: Jacques
At the head of the business, Jacques developed the business and delivered his oil to local grocery shops within an 80 km radius. As the number of deliveries increased, he hired a dedicated driver and a labourer to help with the production and handling.
In 1956, he took over Huileries du Berry. Founded in 1824 in Vierzon, Berry, Huileries du Berry has been producing gourmet oils ever since. Initially, only walnut oil was produced on a seasonal basis, using kernels from local producers.
In the 1960s, sales expanded. In 1962, Guénard presented its products for the first time at SIAL, the international food fair. This participation raised the company's profile and made it visible abroad too.
From 1971 - 3rd generation: Jean
Jean Guénard, Jacques' son, joined the company and began modernising it.
- Industrial development
To fulfil its new ambitions, the company had to expand and equip itself. It could no longer be satisfied with its grinding wheel and old presses. The decision was made to move to a business park that had just sprung up on the outskirts of the town, at Noyers-sur-Cher, on the other bank of the Cher.
In 1976, Guénard moved into a brand new site, equipped with traditional presses for the traditional production of gourmet oils, continuous presses for industrial oils, an analysis laboratory, a shop and offices.
- Development of the range
Guénard, which until then had only produced walnut, peanut, corn germ and rapeseed oil, began to develop its range with hazelnut, almond, pine nut and pistachio oil. The company went on to win numerous awards and partnerships. It won its first awards, notably at the Concours Général Agricole.
- Commercial development
Jean structured the company with procedures, sales and marketing departments and participation in trade fairs. In 1981, Guénard became France's largest walnut oil manufacturer. With its 8 employees, it produced almost 150,000 litres a year. Exports also took off.
Guénard leaves the family sphere
In 2011, Maison Guénard became part of Sofiprotéol, a giant in the French vegetal oil and protein industry, notably with the Puget brand, which was renamed Avril in 2015. Guénard is withdrawing from large and medium-sized distribution channels to focus on delicatessen and catering. Backed by a major group, Maison Guénard is well placed to target a demanding clientele and promote its traditional expertise to the gastronomic sector.
What's more, since 2014, the renamed La Compagnie des Saveurs has brought together the expertise of Huiles Guénard and Soléou, offering a top-of-the-range range of gourmet and organic oils.
The Maison Guénard today
Building on its history and local roots, Maison Guénard now markets around thirty different gourmet oils to fine food retailers and top-of-the-range restaurants.
The company has also continued to develop its international business. In fact, its exceptional oils and their unique tastes are appreciated the world over. Japan, Belgium, Germany... Guénard oils are now distributed in around twenty countries, and export sales, all activities combined, account for almost 40%.
The quality of Maison Guénard's artisanal oils has won the company numerous awards, including the Epicures and the Concours Général Agricole in 2024.
