The story of Saint-Gobain PAM Canalisation is a truly eventful industrial saga. The history of this modest foundry that has become a world leader reflects the fortunes of French industry, which has been difficult and marked by identity crises. The formidable rise of this small industrial company was made possible by the far-sighted risks taken by very bold captains of industry. Long before anyone else, the company, which was still called the “Société Anonyme des hauts fourneaux et fonderies de Pont-à-Mousson”, took risks on:

A market: water transportation;
A product: pipelines; and
The specialization in a material: grey and then ductile cast iron.

In addition to taking these risks, the “old lady”, as it is known to its customers, built a durable strategy on two constant features of its history: technological breakthroughs (centrifugation, ductile cast iron, etc.) and strong internationalization and commercial development. After the celebration of its 150th anniversary, against a backdrop of rising raw materials prices, the pipeline activity continues to grow, with the same spirit of conquest, innovation and industrial strength.

Cast iron: the standard-setting material?

The story of pipelines can be summarised as follows. At the time of the Romans, the first pipelines were made of clay, or sometimes stoneware or lead. The Middle Ages saw the arrival of a few pipelines made of wood.

The story of cast iron pipelines started in Belgium in the 17th century. The first cast iron pipes equipped Marly’s famous machine and the Chateau de Versailles. The first flanged pipes, which were sealed using pig skin or foils of lead, replaced the wooden pipes from the 17th century. But at this time, mains water remained an almost royal privilege.

The industrial adventure at Pont-à-Mousson started almost a century later, more by accident than anything else, as is often the case. The company was founded two years after the accidental discovery of a large deposit of iron ore in the Meurth-et-Moselle department of France in 1854. PAM, Pont-à-Mousson, or the “old lady”, has a glorious history. But, like the rest of French industry, life has not always been rosy for PAM. The first years were difficult and chaotic. At the time, the modest foundry produced various products, and was not specialized in pipes, and the company resembled many others. It was still a long way from becoming one of the “iron barons”.

The first pipes

The momentous decision was taken to produce pipes and the first one was manufactured in 1865. In an innovative step at that time, the “Société Anonyme des hauts fourneaux et fonderies de Pont-à-Mousson” immediately created a sales department, a decision that heralded the start of its specialization in water transportation. This strong alliance between manufacturing and sales was a forebear of vertical integration, marked by the constant desire to remain independent.

From a structural perspective, the organization of the company was the first of its kind in the iron and steel industry in Lorraine, since it allowed entrepreneurs and directors to enter capital. “The first two directors did not wield power because they owned the capital. They acquired the capital because they wielded the power”.

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