It all started in 1938 ...

 

 

The war was on and things were scarce.  Dental Technicians were having great difficulty obtaining the materials they needed (especially for casting). 

HENRI TORNIER a mechanical engineer and friend of a technician used his skills to solve these problems by coming up with a new solution using NICKEL CHROME, which is ideal for their requirements and was available. Production began… 

 

 

 

In 1942 HENRI TORNIER registers the NICHROMINOX brand (Nickel-Chrome-Stainless).

He creates a range of products for dental prosthetic laboratories along with various accessories for dental surgeries. 

 

 

 

In 1944 a second range of products is launched for Maxillo Facial Surgery, including Arch bars for a fractured jaw bone. Then a few years later, plates, screws and instruments for facial bone surgery are added.

In 1980 Arlette LEFRANCQ-LUMIERE (his daughter) takes over the company along with her son Eric.

 

At that point, they launch a third family of products including a range of accessories for dental practices : beginning with boxes and trays, and then following with a range of retractors.

 

Here are the key dates of Nichrominox expansion :

1987 : Nichrominox introduces technical boxes for various types of  burs, endodontic and hand instruments.

1992 : Nichrominox expends and opens an additional production area in Lyon.

1997 to 1999 : the company grows, adding new buildings to the existing facility and purchasing a new CNC machine to speed up production.

2001 : a year of reorganisation, setting new rules, and the beginning of a 35 hour working week.

2003 : a new software for manufacturing, "an Enterprise Resources Planification ERP" (Resource Management) is incorporated into the company.

2004 : a change in limited status to help the company grow.

2005 : the purchasing of a subcontractor ‘GALVALOIRE’, a surface treatment company who anodises the trays and boxes for NICHROMINOX, takes place.

2008 : the fourth generation joins the company : Alexandre and Cedric LEFRANCQ-LUMIERE.

2010 : a very special year for NICHROMINOX moving from their old factory to a brand new purpose built 3,500 square meters manufacturing and storage facility in the near suburbs of Lyon.

2015 : NICHROMINOX begins the introduction of robots in the manufacturing process.

 

 

       Henri  TORNIER     

 

Arlette, Eric, Alexandre, Cédric LEFRANCQ-LUMIERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henri  TORNIER