L’Atelier RaidLight Made in France
Discover our production workshop in the heart of the Chartreuse Massif
After 10 years in the Loire, when Raidlight moved to the Chartreuse, Benoit Laval decided to open a textile workshop dedicated to lightweight, innovative products for trail runners. This workshop became operational in 2015, with a surface area of 500 m², equipped with around thirty machines.
In 2024, Raidlight expanded its production capacity by opening a second Made in France workshop in Veurey-Voroize, just outside Grenoble. With a production team of around 15 people, almost 40,000 items will be manufactured this year, including backpacks, carbon poles and technical jerseys. Made in France production now accounts for 20% of sales, and offers trail runners the chance to buy locally.
For example, Raidlight as a historic partner of the Grand Raid de la Réunion, produces a limited edition Made In France every year in its textile workshop. Raidlight also offers to customise French-made jerseys for clubs, races and companies, to order.
"It's a deliberate and voluntary choice to produce part of it in France to offer customers the choice of buying Made In France.’
Why is our production not made entirely in France?
The answer lies in manufacturing costs and, consequently, selling prices. Imagine a waterproof-breathable jacket at 500 euros, or prices multiplied by two or three on all our products. Would that really make sense? Would we still find customers?
Our Made in France products are designed with this constraint in mind. They are top-of-the-range, minimalist, and provide real added value. However, it's not possible to apply this approach to all our products.
That said, we have no reason to be ‘ashamed’ of producing in other parts of the world. In today's globalised world, this approach contributes to the economic development of less developed countries. We carefully select our factories for the quality of their work and regularly visit our production sites to guarantee good working conditions.
Buying Made in France means choosing premium products that combine comfort, performance and eco-responsibility, thanks to cutting-edge technologies such as laser cutting, heat welding and thermobonding. These innovations make it possible to design products that are even lighter, perform better and respect the environment. Manufacturing a product is a demanding process that requires meticulous planning and technical skills.
Opting for Made in France means supporting local, responsible production while enjoying top-quality products.
