the pins bearing the image of the Paris 2024 Games are made in France in the Cher

The IZT factory in Saint-Amand-Montrond, in Cher, won the call for tenders for the production of pins for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Less than two months before the start of the Olympic Games, derivative products are available in all flavors. Among them, there are pins. And they are made in France. franceinfo went to the foundry that manufactures them, in Saint-Amand-Montrond in Cher.

In his office, Anthony Rostislavov, the director of the IZT factory, is proud to show a sample of his latest production. The site, more accustomed to producing automobile parts and perfume caps, now counts among its clients the holder of the Paris 2024 license. 150,000 pins bearing the image of the mascot have already left the Berry foundry. And to attract the client, efforts had to be made: “The challenge was to be able to respond to a call for tenders with a time criterion, a price criterion and a quality criterion.”

Faced with the SME are Asian competition and its cheap labor force. The director will not reveal his cost price to us, but he ensures that he remains competitive. To understand the recipe that allows the company to lower prices, you have to follow Gilles Lhopitault, site manager : “This is the foundry where there are the injection presses where the pins are produced.” To make them, gray ingots are inserted into the furnace where they take shape. It’s Zamak, an infinitely recyclable zinc alloy. : “This ingot is melted at a temperature of approximately 400 degrees.” A lower melting point than steel, which saves energy.

“By a piston system it is injected into a mold and it comes out as a pin”, continues Gilles Lhopitault. And this is the result of months of innovation which makes it possible to melt the bill: a piece in one piece. Previously, an operator was required to add the nail by hand. In the adjoining laboratory, Melissa Loubry controls the series which has just been released: “I look at the right side, the reverse side, I check the color of the pines and I see if they have any big visible defects.”

Next to her, the production of the day. 2 000 pins with the image of the games ready to be packaged. And obviously a little satisfaction: “It’s true, it’s a little piece of pride.” Products sold for nine euros in stores which open up a peaceful future for the 30 employees of Saint-Amand-Montrond. Since working for the Olympic Games, the SME has been approached by other clients.