Emile Noël
100 years of history
A family-owned SME
Inspired by 1920 by Monsieur Noël, master miller, built for nearly 50 years by Emile Noël Jr., founder of the brand, the history of our oil mill has continued under the direction of the 3rd generation with his daughter Annick Garnier. Now, it’s the 4th generation who presides over the family SME with Mr. David Garnier, grandson of Emile Noël Jr.
1920
Fascinated by the profession of master miller that he discovered, Emile Noël senior decided to buy an old oil mill in Pont-Saint-Esprit in the Gard, between Provence and the Cevennes.
Birth of Emile Noël Jr., who grew up lulled by the sound of the millstones, intoxicated by the scent of olives pressed by the mill.
1929
1956
A natural disaster disrupts local life. The intense frost in March destroyed no less than 90% of French olive trees.
To overcome this disaster, Emile Noël decided to turn to crushing seeds from the region such as sunflower or rapeseed, which were spared by climatic events, and diversified his offer.
Emile Noël set up his oil mill in order to package his oils in bottles and not only in bulk and to ensure their distribution, particularly in what were then called “regime houses”.
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 organic seeds. Before this date, the concept of “organic farming” did not yet exist.
Emile Noël decided to expand his range of organic oils, with new seeds. Its pioneering approach to organic farming, the quality and diversity of its traditional virgin oils have earned it the support of eminent health professionals, who recognize Emile Noël products as having nutritional virtues.
1980
1981 to 1989
In 1981, Emile Noël decided to set up a cannery at the same time, in partnership with a professional cook.
From then on, the range of products bearing the “Emile Noël ” brand continued to expand, from ready meals to vinaigrettes, mustards and southern specialities.
As for the Emile Noël range of organic oils, it was at the end of the 1980s that it really took off.
Emile Noël travels extensively to find the best raw materials and meet, whenever he can, producers in the field.
As distribution networks became more and more structured, Emile Noël decided to turn exclusively to the specialized organic distribution channel.
Emile Noël was committed to long-term and long-term relationships with his producers, and it was at this time that he built the sesame sector in Africa, in Mali , in order to guarantee income, quantities and financing to local producers.
1990
2003
After a long presence in Africa and the in-depth work already carried out, it is quite natural that the company obtains the Bio Fair Trade certification.
Emile Noël, founder of Huilerie Emile Noël, passed away on September 28, 2011 at the age of 82.
A visionary to the end, Emile Noël prepared well in advance for the rest of the story, entrusting the chairmanship of the company to his daughter Annick Garnier in 1994, and the general management to his grandson David Garnier in 2007.
2011
2015
David Garnier succeeds his mother Annick as president of the Huilerie Emile Noël.
A fourth generation in the tradition of Noëls, and a new vision of the company’s development.
Emile Noël celebrates his centenary