A FAMILY BUSINESS
Established in 1920 by Monsieur Noël, master-miller, built up over nearly 50 years by Emile Noël junior, his son and the founder of the brand, the history of our oil mill continued through to the 3rd generation under the direction of his daughter Annick Garnier. Nowadays, it is the 4th generation that presides over the family business with Mr David Garnier, grandson of Emile Noël Junior in charge.
1920 –
Passionate about the profession of master miller that he had discovered, Emile Noël Senior decided to buy an old oil mill in Pont-Saint-Esprit in the Gard, between Provence and Cevennes.
Birth of Emile Noël Junior, who grew up soothed by the sound of the millstones, intoxicated by the scent of the olives pressed by the mill.
– 1929
1956 –
A natural disaster plays havoc with local life. The severe frost in March destroyed no less than 90% of the olive trees in France. To survive this disaster, Emile Noël decides to turn to crushing local seeds such as sunflower and rapeseed, which had been spared by the climatic events, and diversified his offer
Emile Noël establishes his oil mill so that he can package his oils in bottles and no longer only in bulk and could ensure their distribution, particularly in what were then called “maisons de régime”, places where people followed healthy diets.
– 1966
1972 –
Huilerie Emile Noël takes a new step, which will prove decisive for its future: it becomes the very first oil mill in France to crush organically-grown seeds. Before that date, the concept of “organic farming” was not yet in existence.
Emile Noël decides to expand his range of organic oils with new seeds. His pioneering approach in organic products, and the quality and diversity of his traditional virgin oils have earned him the support of eminent health experts, who recognise Emile Noël products as having nutritional qualities.
– 1980
1981 –
89 –
In 1981, Emile Noël decides to set up a cannery in parallel, in partnership with a professional chef.
The range of products bearing the “Emile Noël” brand continues to expand, from ready-made dishes to vinaigrettes, to mustards and southern specialities.
As for the range of Emile Noël organic oils, at the end of the 1980s it really begins to expand.
Emile Noël travels extensively to find the best raw materials and, whenever he can, meet the producers in the field.
As distribution networks are becoming increasingly structured, Emile Noël decides to turn exclusively to the specialised organic distribution channel.
Since Emile Noël is committed to lasting and sustainable relationships with his producers, it is at this time that he builds the sesame sector in Africa and Mali to guarantee incomes, quantities and funding to local producers.
– 1990
2003 –
As a result of its long-established presence in Africa and the in-depth work already carried out, it is only natural that the company should obtain Organic Fair Trade certification.
Emile Noël, founder of the Huilerie Emile Noël, passes away on 28 September 2011 at the age of 82.
A visionary to the end, Emile Noël prepared well in advance for the rest of the story, entrusting his daughter Annick Garnier with the presidency of the company in 1994 and his grandson David Garnier with the general management in 2007.
– 2011
2015 –
David Garnier succeeds his mother Annick as president of Huilerie Emile Noël.
A fourth generation in the tradition of the Noël family, and a new perspective on the company’s development.
