| History of LAMPE BERGER |
Mr. Maurice Berger, the founder of LAMPE BERGER, was a pharmacist.
He was inspired to invent a product that would improve the quality of air after witnessing the dismal conditions in hospitals plagued with stagnant air and poor ventilation. After much research, he succeeded in inventing a product that would provide a fresh and pleasant environment.
In 1897, he founded the LAMPE BERGER business by marrying the various essential oils with his patented catalytic burner and unique techniques. The essential oil diffused gradually over the heat, as the catalytic burner can burn at a temperature as low as 60°c while releasing Ozoalcool Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) into the air. This procedure was hailed as a new innovation of the era. | | | |
| Prestigious Achievements |
This invention was patented in June 1898 and received the National New Invention Award from the French government in 1901. Throughout the 20th century, it received numerous recognitions for its patent. It set the standard for aromatherapy and popularized its usage. The traditional formulae of LAMPE BERGER essential oils are much guarded trade secrets of the company.
Over the century, LAMPE BERGER’s aromatherapy products have facilitated a remarkable improvement in the quality of air indoors. The essential oils are now regarded as luxury fragrances. Even the diffusers are now collectors’ items among the French elite, artists and individuals. LAMPE BERGER has evolved into a unique symbol of the much envied French lifestyle. Avid collectors have even formed a club, Club des Collectionneurs de LAMPE BERGER to organize the systematic collection of original LAMPE BERGER art pieces. |
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| Ownership |
Despite the numerous awards and wealth Maurice Berger achieved for his patented products and business, he decided to retire at the age 60 in 1926. He discussed his plans with his family and some employees before he contacted an industrial manager who was seeking a new business investment. Jean-Jacques Faillot, who would be the subsequent owner played a critical role in the future development of LAMPE BERGER.
Maurice Berger sold his shop to Jean-Jacques Faillot. The 45-year-old new owner was a former industrial manager whose major part of his career was in the cardboard industry. The two protagonists met mainly due to chance. Jean-Jacques Faillot was traveling to the South of France on business when he met a passenger who was the employee of Maurice Berger. He was told that Maurice Berger's business was for sale. Jean-Jacques Faillot was convinced that it was a good investment and in August 1927, for 750,000 francs (about 2 million francs at 1998), he became the new owner.
Jean-Jacques Faillot
Jean-Jacques Faillot kept the name “Berger” as an essential business feature and planned to have the hygiene Berger lamp, or diffuser as the key product of his new business.
The number of diffusers for sale multiplied from about a dozen to more than one hundred due to the efforts of Jean-Jacques Faillot. This new range was conceived to suit all tastes and means. The most ordinary piece, in colourless glass, was priced up to 20 francs, whereas the most luxurious model, in Baccarat crystal, fitted with a mount, a base, and bronze handles, was priced up to 1,500 francs.
Jean-Jacques Faillot was keen on the aesthetics and quality of the diffusers. He worked with famous companies, specializing in home decoration, perfume bottles and vaporizers. Thus the most famous creators of the time will manufacture the Berger diffusers: Lalique, Galle, Baccarat, Saint-Louis d’Argental, Camille Tharaud. This demonstrated Jean Jacques Faillot’s aim to place the diffusers in the luxury goods category.
| | | | Advertisement published in L'Illustration between 1928 and 1931. |
| Another aspect of Jean-Jacques Faillot’s heritage with the diffusers was that he launched a large advertising campaign. He targeted the November and December issues of the weekly newspaper in France, L’Illustration in order to provoke the reader’s desire. The diffusers were positioned as natural Christmas or New Year’s gift ideas, implying one’s good taste when chosing a present.
Contrary to Maurice Berger’s practice, Jean-Jacques Faillot set up retail outlets for the Berger lamps. He also spearheaded the sales of diffusers throughout the world using a sales agent in London.
Famous French personalities of the time such as Colette or Jean Cocteau would go to the shop to buy their favourite diffuser model while legendary artist Pablo Picasso spoke of Ozoalcool perfumed fragrance, qualifiying it as the “the most intelligent odour”.
This golden era ended with the outbreak of the Second World War. Jean-Jacques Faillot died of injuries when he was run over by a German military vehicle. Gilbert Faillot, his son took over the management.
The post-war period saw moderate growth. Despite so, the firm’s financial and trading state remained excellent. After 32 years at the helm, Gilbert Faillot decided to retire, hence he proposed the company for sale. | |
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| The Auvray Legacy |
In 1973 Marcel Auvray purchased Societe Berger as he was impressed with the company. Marcel Auvray had great plans for the company. He built a brand new plant at Bourgtheroulde-Infreville, while the headquarters remained at rue Duphot. This famous place where LAMPE BERGER was born is nothing more than a shop, a symbolic frontage.
While working with the range renewal, he had to avoid breaking with the past, so as not to upset the traditional clientele. His strategy was to divide the range into two collections: the first one titled “classic” dealt with the existing production and the second, broke radically with the past.
In time, Marcel Auvray decided to focus production on the decorative aspects of the diffusers. In addition, the Berger lamp was no longer aimed at a particular segment of the clientele, but a broader segment of the society.
Under Marcel Auvray’s leadership, the company started a campaign with the aim of modernizing the image of LAMPE BERGER. Advertising and the complete renewal of the range, creating a distinction between classic and contemporary products played a part in this modernization.
Marcel Auvray passed the reins of Societe Berger over to his son Philippe Auvray, who is the current Chairman of LAMPE BERGER International and leading the globalisation of the brand since 1989.
Though LAMPE BERGER has changed ownership twice, its patented diffuser and essential oils remain true to its origins. It has survived the two world wars and social and economic upheavals and emerged a well-known brand, not simply in France but worldwide. |
| | | Sir Philippe Auvray Chairman of LAMPE BERGER International and Mr. Alain Le Bourg | | |
| Imporving the Quality of Life |
| Mr Maurice Berger, founder of LAMPE BERGER initially intended to improve the hospital environment with his invention. He was eager to dispel the `dead and demoralising' atmosphere with an innovation that would improve air quality and smell. Hence LAMPE BERGER is able to get rid of odours as well as replenish oxygen in the air. Later, fragrance was added to the essential oils used in the Berger lamp and it evolved into a luxury product. It has greatly enhanced the quality of lives of its users. In addition, the various Berger lampes have become prized collectors items with even a club formed for its collectors. |
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| Innovative Product with Award Winning Patents |
| LAMPE BERGER essential oil is blended with Ozoalcool, and releases oxygen when diffused into the air. The wick of the diffuser burns at a temperature as low as 60°c. The essential oil evaporates gradually over the heat and releases into the air Ozoalcool Isopropyl Alcohol. This procedure was seen as a new technology of the era and patented in June 1898. LAMPE BERGER received the National New Invention Award offered by the French government in 1901. It has also garnered many awards throughout the 20th century. |
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| Found in Nature, Tested By Science |
| LAMPE BERGER has kept pace with modern technology yet drawing on nature for its products. The entire production process from purchasing, storage, packaging, shipping to manufacturing has been computerized. In research, testing and laboratory techniques, it is the leader in the aromatic industry. It is constantly searching for new ingredients and new fragrances. With a heritage spanning over a century, it still keeps up with current market trends and consumer tastes. |
