A Company Built on More Than a Century of ExpertiseFor more than 130 years, Raoult & Beck has upheld the art of French ceramics. Founded in 1889 by Tom Raoult’s great-great-grandfather, the family business is now led by Tom and has moved with the times while remaining true to its roots. Raoult & Beck continues to transform clay into premium ceramic bodies valued by local craftspeople and international customers alike. “I see myself as the guardian of this heritage and of family expertise passed down through the generations, having endured wars, economic crises and social change,” says Tom Raoult. His commitment to authenticity and short supply chains is reflected in the use of local raw materials and close relationships with customers.
Over the years, Raoult & Beck has remained rooted in its historic factory, gradually modernised and located around 50 kilometres from Caen. True to its values and human-scale management, the company creates a bridge between past and present. “We have modernised production, but we remain committed to traditional methods, short supply chains and French manufacturing. I still ask my father for advice, and he too draws inspiration from what my grandfather used to do,” Tom Raoult explains.
Raoult & Beck stands out for its ability to create bespoke ceramic bodies tailored to the specific needs of specialist retailers, potters and fine craftspeople. The company offers around fifty products, ranging from fine, coloured earthenware bodies for tableware to robust stoneware bodies ideal for tiles and large dishes.
In the workshop, every clay is carefully processed using a blend of traditional techniques and modern methods. “The purity and consistency of our bodies result from a rigorous process of milling, sieving and dewatering, without pre-firing,” explains Tom Raoult. Although longer and more complex, this process delivers superior quality while reducing environmental impact by recovering water and avoiding pre-firing.
Alongside its ceramic body production, Raoult & Beck has revived its art studio Ceramic Factory, founded by Tom’s father in the 1990s. Now bringing together four artists, the studio creates unique pieces for prestigious projects, including abbey restorations and the decoration of royal residences. “Creating our own pieces with our own bodies is the ultimate achievement for us,” adds Tom Raoult. This command of the entire process, from raw material to finished piece, enables Ceramic Factory to meet bespoke requirements, from monumental sculptures to impeccably finished vases.
By celebrating the raw authenticity of the material while incorporating handcrafted decorative elements, the company combines tradition with innovation and is expanding internationally through the prestige of Made in France. With more than a century of expertise, Raoult & Beck and Ceramic Factory continue to build a shared story focused on the future.
