Audemars Piguet invests in Inhotec: an industrial strategy to meet the challenges of watchmaking

The famous Audemars Piguet watchmaking company invests in Inhotec to secure know-how that has become rare in Swiss industry. A strategic decision on several levels.

In a sector where mastery of the production chain is a lever for competitiveness, Audemars Piguet continues its quest for industrial independence. The Swiss company has just acquired a majority stake in Inhotec, a company specializing in micro-mechanics and precision machining. The aim of this alliance is to protect and perpetuate the rare skills that have become essential in Haute Horlogerie.

Founded in 2011, Inhotec employs over 200 people. Its technical expertise is rooted in a dynamic of extreme precision, essential to the manufacture of high-end watch components. By partnering with this company, Audemars Piguet is securing access to strategic know-how, while contributing to its long-term transmission.

A direct response to skills shortages

The Swiss watchmaking industry is currently facing a critical challenge: the renewal of its craftsmen and technicians. The scarcity of these profiles makes Audemars Piguet’s investment particularly relevant. As Lucas Raggi, Chief Industrial Officer of Audemars Piguet, points out, “the aim is to consolidate a strategic base of key skills and support the continuity of a know-how that is essential to the future of Haute Horlogerie”.

This investment also anticipates changes in the global market. According to a Morgan Stanley report published at the beginning of 2024, Audemars Piguet would represent more than 5% of the Swiss watch market, a weight that demands guarantees in terms of supply and quality.

Greater independence without interference

While the financial contribution is substantial, Inhotec retains its operational autonomy. Management, industrial activities and commercial relations remain under the control of the company itself. A way for Audemars Piguet not to restrict the agility of its partner while securing its own production chain.

And in Paris?

In the French capital, Audemars Piguet creations continue to attract a loyal clientele. The boutique on rue Saint-Honoré embodies this strategy of discreet excellence. The industrial independence acquired thanks to Inhotec could be reflected in future pieces offered to Parisian connoisseurs, who are always on the lookout for objects designed with a masterful, artisanal approach.

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