OUR PROFESSION OF HERBALIST, A DEMANDING KNOW-HOW
CAILLEAU Herboristerie: An evolution rooted in the tradition of medicinal plants since 1868
The history of Herboristerie CAILLEAU goes back to the 19th century, to Chemillé in Anjou, where our family business began producing medicinal plants in a region already renowned for this activity.
There's no precise date for when Chemillé became the medicinal plant capital of France. However, the town's reputation as a center for the production and processing of medicinal plants, particularly Roman chamomile, has grown steadily over time. As local companies have specialized in the cultivation and processing of these plants, Cailleau Herboristerie has consolidated its position as a major player in this field.
Date of the oldest account book found in our archives. It bears witness to the cultivation of four plants: Roman chamomile, mint, hyssop and lemon balm. This production continued until 1930.
By the 1930s, we had expanded our cultivated areas, and production of Roman chamomile, among other plants, was in full swing. It was at this time that the "Herboristerie centrale du Maine et Loire" brand was born.
We diversified our crops and intensified wild plant gathering to support the flourishing herbalists of the time. Therapeutic formulas were developed, some of which are still present in our current catalog.
In 1941, a major upheaval took place in the field of herbalism: the Vichy government abolished the Herborist diploma in France, establishing a pharmaceutical monopoly on plant distribution.
After the war, a new wind blew in, and that's when the transition was made. We gradually broadened our original vocation as growers to include various fields relating to plants.
In 1946, we erected our first building dedicated to our professional activity, thus launching sales throughout France and Africa. However, in 1953, a fire devastated this structure. Refusing to let it get us down, from 1954 to 1976 we rebuilt and set up our first workshops equipped with cutting, crushing and grading machinery. We also introduced a hot-air dryer to complement traditional air-drying methods. Between 1976 and 1984, we invested in an IMA filling machine, enabling fully automatic production of infusion boxes, as well as in machines for capsule production.
Continuing our modernization, between 1985 and 1988 we installed a computer system and set up an analysis laboratory, with the arrival of a pharmacist on the team.
The year 1989-1990 marked a turning point both in world history, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in our export activities. For companies such as CAILLEAU Herboristerie, this meant a reshaping of relations with plant suppliers in Central Europe.
In the 90s and 2000s, in line with our customers' needs and the latest trends, we integrated a range of organic plants, which led to the creation of a new cutting workshop and a 500m2 extension for storage. The installation of a new computerized raw materials and storage management system is a must.
Mr Yves Cailleau passes on the torch of CAILLEAU Herboristerie. The company has taken a new turn with Madame and Monsieur Brard at the helm. With over 25 years' experience in seed selection and an in-depth knowledge of the agricultural world, CAILLEAU Herboristerie is once again working closely with its growers to promote the "produit en France" (made in France) concept, which they believe is in line with their desire to offer quality plants.
In 2015, Jordan Brard joined the company to revitalize business development and carry on the family tradition.
CAILLEAU wanted to improve the comfort of its team, make the company more accessible, and meet the increasingly demanding production standards of the industry, with equipment that respects the environment, so it decided to build new buildings that would enable it to bring together all its workshops and services on a single site. We moved into the new premises in July 2016, still in Chemillé-en-Anjou.
Mrs. and Mr. Brard hand over the keys to the company to Jordan Brard, to carry on the family tradition, and to Nicolas Baudry, who has been with the company since 2004.
CAILLEAU Herboristerie is a company that listens carefully and looks to the future. Thanks to its ancestral know-how, the company has become the undisputed benchmark for French herbal products, and a key player in the industrial market.
CAILLEAU Herboristerie has formalized its CSR commitment with the creation of a CSR charter and the publication of an annual report. We place social responsibility at the heart of our actions, aiming to reduce our ecological footprint, support the well-being of our employees, and promote ethical and transparent governance.
This commitment translates into sustainable practices in our production processes, while encouraging diversity, inclusion and respect for human rights. Through these initiatives, we are working towards a more responsible future, while making a positive contribution to society and the planet.
CAILLEAU Herboristerie has taken a new step in its digital transformation with the launch of its new B2B website. This modern, user-friendly platform enables our customers to easily access all our quality documents, place orders and consult our online product catalog.
We're continuing to enhance this experience, and other features will soon be available to make exchanges even simpler and more efficient. This new tool bears witness to our commitment to offering our partners an optimized and transparent service.