Where great culinary art is created, more than just talent is needed – namely the perfect kitchen. In the Grenoble region, Chaudronnerie de l’Isère has been manufacturing tailor-made working environments for top international chefs for over 40 years. The family-run business combines traditional craftsmanship, individual design, and state-of-the-art Bystronic technology to create durable kitchen solutions that meet even the highest gastronomic standards.
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In a suburb near Grenoble, in the heart of the French Alps, the Jullien family runs a manufacturing business that is known far beyond the French border, thanks to their entrepreneurial skills and pioneering spirit. The workshop, which was once founded by the father, is now a successful family business with 17 employees and a rather impressive customer base – including Michelin chefs such as Christophe Bacquié (Le Mas Des Eydins, Bonnieux) and Hubert Chanove (Refuge des Gourmets, Machilly), as well as renowned hotels and ambitious newcomers to the French gastronomic scene.
Every kitchen created here is a unique masterpiece – functional, aesthetic, and uncompromisingly well thought out. Bystronic technology also plays a central role in this – it ensures that the quality is right and makes production fit for the future.
The father started in the workshop
What began four decades ago as the workshop of Guy Jullien, a metalworker, is now a thriving business with uncompromising quality standards. “We only produce about one kitchen per month. It is a special and extremely demanding craft – every product must be perfectly planned, designed, and manufactured when it leaves the workshop,” says 40-year-old Guillaume Jullien, who took over the company from his father and now runs it together with his two siblings, Alexis and Audrey.
“We want to do this as efficiently and sustainably as possible. Every kitchen is unique, planned down to the last detail and tailored to the needs and working methods of our customers, the chefs. Whether it's a top Parisian restaurant or a chalet kitchen in the Alps, the team designs, plans, and produces everything here at our company.”
Family, friendship, and sheet metal
In addition to its custom kitchen business, Chaudronnerie de l'Isère has been deeply rooted in sheet metal working since its founding—the historic core competence of the family business. Around half of its turnover is generated in this area. "The Grenoble region is very industrially active and attractive. Unlike kitchen construction, we only have customers from the region in this area," explains Guillaume.
With modern machinery and many years of expertise, the company carries out high-precision work in steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper – from cutting, punching, and bending to welding, assembly, and painting. Its customers include well-known companies such as Bertin Alpao, Globatech, and Allimand.
What makes the company so special is its friendly, straightforward and respectful atmosphere.
The Jullien family's recipe for success is, on the one hand, the combination of craftsmanship, design, and high-tech, but on the other hand, it is also the working atmosphere: “What makes the company special is the atmosphere: familiar, uncomplicated, respectful. Customer relationships often last for years, even decades. Many Michelin chefs also repeatedly rely on the company's expertise.”
Unfortunately, the three siblings have to make concessions when it comes to testing their own kitchens: “Of course, it's a shame that we can't try out the kitchen and thus the culinary skills of each of our customers,” says Guillaume with a wink. “Some young chefs still invite us over – the renowned chefs are a little more reserved.” But the feedback speaks for itself: the kitchens impress with their durability, ergonomics, technical sophistication, and the distinctive style that the in-house designer brings to each project.
“Every design I develop is truly unique – individually conceived and specially tailored to the respective customer,” explains Alexis Jullien. However, the heart of the business is and remains the workshop – and this is precisely where the family relies on technology from Bystronic.
“This small family business, now in its second generation, is a striking example of how craftsmanship, combined with business acumen and modern machinery, can successfully hold its own in the market,” explains Philipp Garcin, Regional Sales Manager at Bystronic France.
Automation to combat the shortage of skilled workers
As in many skilled trades, Chaudronnerie de l’Isère is also feeling the effects of the increasing shortage of skilled workers. “It’s not easy to find qualified personnel,” says Audrey Jullien, who is responsible for administration and human resources at the company. “Many young people no longer want to do vocational training – it’s simply no longer en vogue.”
However, instead of focusing on growth through more employees, the company is pursuing a clear course: systematic automation. “Bystronic machines and our focus on automation, such as the By Loader, help us to secure or even increase production – without having to look for additional employees,” explains Guillaume Jullien. “This gives us stability and security for the future.”
This provides us with stability and security for the future.
Particularly noteworthy: the entire production process – from laser cutting to bending – was implemented in a very small space. The compact solution is the result of careful planning: the Bystronic BySmart Fiber 3015 laser cutter is located just a few meters away from the Xpert Pro bending machine, which means that the distances between the processing steps are extremely short.
A nitrogen generator has also been integrated directly into the laser, which covers the required shielding gas demand – without external delivery or storage. This space-saving setup makes it possible to work highly efficiently despite the limited space, while ensuring maximum quality.
The modern machines not only ensure efficiency, but also greater precision and significantly lower energy consumption – a factor that is particularly important to the nature-loving family business. “We are an alpine family, we spend our free time in the surrounding mountains, in nature, and in winter we ski every free minute we have,” says Guillaume. "We also live this love of nature in our business. We want to become more sustainable – and that's exactly where the Bystronic machines help us."
Sustainable growth – with heart and house bees
Growth yes – but not at any price. The family is committed to organic growth. An expansion of the business is currently planned: a new extension for additional machine capacity. But before construction can begin, the company's own bees must first find a new home. They have been producing honey on the premises for years – a loving reminder of the close connection to nature and a symbol of cooperation within the company.
The father is also still present – not operationally, but with a wealth of experience and valuable strategic tips and the further development of the company. “His philosophy—quality, humanity, foresight—lives on in the company. And with partners like Bystronic at its side, it will remain a model of success in the future,” explains Guillaume Jullien.
Chaudronnerie de l’Isère impressively demonstrates how a traditional family business with technical innovation and sustainable thinking is shaping France's top kitchens. The combination of craftsmanship, design, and Bystronic technology makes it possible to deliver exclusive quality even in times of change.
