Its distinctive sound has provided the soundtrack for some of France's most famous cultural classics, from the dance halls of Paris to the film Amelie and the songs of Edith Piaf. Former presidents have also performed there.
But it seems traditional Made in France accordion a brettel (strap accordion) After that, it was shut out of existence. MorjaineThe country's last remaining manufacturer went into liquidation after 105 years of producing the instrument known as the “poor man's piano.”
Richard Brandao, 57, who took over the struggling company 11 years ago, said the company was “closing its doors” and blamed competition from China and disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic for the company's demise. are.
“Everything has come to an end since Corona. We were climbing uphill until 2019, but we went downhill due to COVID-19,” he added.
Maugin, the last French artisan accordion maker in a market dominated by Chinese manufacturers, still has 10 employees, the oldest of whom started as an apprentice 39 years ago.
Founded in 1919 by Jean Maugin, who manufactured equipment in a former World War I munitions factory, the company initially employed 290 people in the town of Tulles in the Corrèze department in central France. I was there. After World War II, the arrival of jazz and swing to France increased sales and business boomed, but in the 1970s the company began to decline.
former president Valerie Giscard d'EstaingThe avid accordionist, who passed away in 2020, is credited with revolutionizing political communication with the instrument.
In 1973, when he was Minister of Finance, he was photographed performing a duet with France's “Queen of the Accordion”, Yvette Horner, at the International Accordion Festival.
“If all politicians played the accordion, we would get along better,” he told reporters.
Since the 1990s, Maugin has been the only accordion manufacturer in France, producing instruments from scratch and made to order. The process takes up to 6,000 parts and 110 hours to produce 70 to 80 accordions each month. By 2012, the workforce was down to 21 people, but production remained at a maximum of 600 machines per year.
A year later, faced with declining orders due to competition from Chinese competitors making cheaper models, Maugin attempted to diversify by manufacturing harmonicas and electric accordions.
The company was on the brink of closure a decade ago, even though sales soared due to the success of singer and accordionist Claudio Capeo's albums. They were rescued by a cash injection, including €600,000 (£500,000) from former Arsenal and Tulle-born French defender Laurent Koscielny.
Last week's announcement that the company was placed into liquidation by the Regional Financial Court comes after former President François Hollande and Culture Minister Rashida Dati, residents of Tulle, opened the €9 million Accordion City museum and cultural space in the town. It took place just six months later. .
“Our only hope was to enter the Chinese market, where the growth and interest in accordions is the strongest, but we were unsuccessful,” Brandao told La Montagne newspaper.
“And this happened despite our participation in the China International Musical Instruments Show, the world's largest event in this field.”
Brando told the Guardian: “The company has entered liquidation and has been closed. Employees will be laid off next week.”
He added: “The acquisition project is being considered by four employees. It's too early to tell, but we should know more within the next month. Other employees are looking for new jobs. That's all the news from Maison Maugin.
President Hollande, who is now a member of parliament, announced liquidation. That didn't mean the end of the company.
“At some point, the Maugein brand, the Maugein business, and the accordion… Thanks to new investors, we can continue. They will definitely narrow down the manufacturing side, but they will try to expand distribution,” President Hollande told Totem Radio.
“We will continue to encourage this acquisition so that more concert halls can enjoy the satisfaction of hearing Mogin's accordion.”
He added: “Nothing is lost and everything must be done, because the announcement of the liquidation of Maugins is not only news that saddens the people of Tulle and Corrèze.” The accordion is known throughout France. ”
The last Morgin accordion you ordered will be delivered on Monday.
