Recognized for its expertise in tool sharpening and the manufacture of tools for the woodworking and wood-derived products industries, Diamonde-Guillen embodies a hybrid model combining service and industry, born from the merger between a company specialized in tool maintenance and a historic manufacturer. Today, the company relies on two complementary sites to support professionals in the sector through its investments and future-oriented vision led by its co-manager, Anne Piquerez-Gobled.

Can you briefly introduce the company Diamonde-Guillen?

Diamonde was founded in 2001 at the initiative of major French furniture manufacturers and parquet flooring specialists to manage the sharpening of their tools. Over the years, the idea of designing our own tools began to emerge. As we did not yet have the capacity to do so, we looked for a partner. In 2019, we acquired Guillen, a company specialized since 1969 in the manufacture of French-made tools.

How is this new structure organized?

Since 2019, we have operated two complementary production sites: one in Vougy, Haute-Savoie, where around ten employees work on the design of Diamonde-Guillen tools; the other, located in Marlenheim, Alsace, employs around fifteen people specializing in diamond tooth tooling at Diamonde’s facilities. These two hubs enable us to offer a complete range of products and services to woodworking professionals: design and manufacturing; maintenance and sharpening; R&D and innovation.

Who are your main clients, and in which sectors do you operate?

Today, we manufacture and maintain tool bodies for numerous wood specialists, ranging from construction and parquet flooring to furniture manufacturing, including interior and exterior joinery. We also apply our expertise to exceptional crafts such as cooperage, as well as niche sectors like knife and pepper mill manufacturing!

How did 2025 go, and what are your impressions for the beginning of 2026?

Last year, we generated nearly €3 million in revenue at Diamonde-Guillen and €1.2 million at Guillen, serving 2,500 professional clients. Beyond France, we are present in several European markets (Suisse, Allemagne, Belgique, Pays-Bas…), as well as in Canada, where business activity was also quite slow. Overall, 2025 was not an easy year. It is a daily challenge for both us and our clients. Although we did not secure many new projects, we were still able to rely on our sharpening services to stay on course. In continuity with 2025, 2026 is also starting slowly for now, but we remain optimistic, with promising projects ahead…

Could you tell us more about your latest investments?

Our latest investments were mainly focused on Guillen, with the acquisition of a new CNC lathe in 2025 and the arrival of another milling center during 2026. These additions will help optimize production at our site in Vougy.

What are the current tool trends among woodworking professionals? Do you have any best-sellers?

Our helical cutterhead, created by Guillen in 1988 and available in many models, remains one of our best-selling products. It continues to be a benchmark in the world of segmented cutting tools. Since its creation nearly forty years ago, it has been tested and proven in all types of situations (calibrating, jointing, tenoning, rebating…) and even with the most difficult woods! Beyond this “best-seller,” our expertise is also, and above all, rooted in creation. We know how to make standard tools, but what sets us apart is our custom-made solutions, innovations, and our ability to handle “problem-solving” projects.

How do you design your tools?

We have a large design office in Haute-Savoie and a significant R&D department in Alsace working on new products. Our strength lies in our responsiveness, adaptability, and our ability to provide clients with a complete offering. We have also equipped ourselves with a machining machine capable of testing all our prototypes.

What about the sourcing of raw materials?

While we cannot reveal every step of our sourcing process, we can say that raw material supply remains quite complicated. We are a small manufacturer and, as a result, prices remain high, especially for carbide.

What can we wish for you in the future?

To be like our competitors… but without a catalog. That is not the approach we follow. The materials to be machined evolve, and machines are different. For an equivalent product, there is no single standard tool. For every project, we provide full support.

By Adèle Cazier

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