Cinema and broadcast zoom lens maker Thales Angenieux has received one of France’s biggest accolades by being recognized as a living heritage company. Founded by Pierre Angenieux back in 1935 the zoom lens maker now has a workforce of about 400 people. Thales Angénieux designs, manufactures and assembles its lenses, on one single site, for its three core businesses – optical components, precision mechanics and electronics. Some of the recent films to use Angenieux zoom lenses include: Life of Pi, The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey, Les Miserables, and Silver Linings Playbook to name a few.
Thales Angenieux has been recognized as a living heritage company under the French government’s Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant scheme. The Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant programme recognizes French companies with a living legacy and tradition of excellence and innovation. The award was confirmed by Fleur Pellerin, Minister for Small and Medium sized companies, Innovation and the Digital Economy at the French Ministry for Productive Renewal, and Sylvia Pinel, Minister for Commerce, Crafts and Tourism.
Pierre Andurand, Chairman of Thales Angénieux, said he was proud “that the company had been recognized for its contribution to the quality and brand value of French products around the world. The distinction is an endorsement of the exceptional talent of our people and their proven ability to design zoom lenses to the highest specifications for some of the world’s biggest movie productions.”
Located in Saint-Héand (near Saint Etienne, France), Thales Angenieux is a rapidly expanding company. The company has consistently achieved international acclaim from cinema professionals for the quality of its zoom lenses.
Created in 2005, the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label is a mark of recognition of the French government, put in place to reward French firms for the excellence of their traditional and industrial skills. Awarded for a period of five years, the label brings together producers committed to the quality of their trades and products.
Please visit Thales Angeniex for more information about their range of cinema zoom lenses.