Metalúrgica Folch is a clear example of family-owned businesses reaching the highlight of a  100th anniversary thanks to the passion and hard work of several generations. Folch remains faithful to its origins, still rooted in Montbrió del Camp (Tarragona) where it was founded in 1924. The company’s machinery is located in the building where it all started. Today, it is the only manufacturer of pins in Spain, and one of the last still existing in Europe.

Several generations of this family contributed their dedication and hard work to the long history of the Folch name, celebrating a century in business. The current owner, Jordi Folch Martí, played a relevant role in this because he was determined to oppose his predecessor’s idea of selling to people outside the family. Jordi chose to keep the company, overcame challenging times, and his efforts paid. His wife, M. Carmen Gil, who manages the company, was instrumental with her unconditional support. Jordi has also been able to count on his son since 1991, for Josep M. Folch is also a manager and has a creative, innovative vision of the future, along with the ability of running the company as a determined businessman. Continuity is ensured, as his grandson Xavier Escalch Folch has joined the company. He is “a genius of mechanics”, according to knowing sources.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary

Celebrations include a number of plans and activities at Folch. Among the first ones, in September of 2023, the company took part in Montbriart, an exhibition of visual arts during which Folch opened the doors of the company to showcase art with pins and other typical items in their sector.

In March of 2024, during H+H held in Cologne (Germany), Folch presented the company’s new catalogue and the collection of exclusive metal boxes as packaging for pins, celebrating their anniversary. And in May, Silvia Corral, the commercial director, held a seminar about pins during the International Seamstresses Congress held in Seville and planned by the Asun Domínguez School of Fashion located in San Sebastián.

The company also collaborated with Arts & Crafts, planned by Castelltort for haberdashery stores, and took part in the opening of the Festa Major de Montbrió del Camp, a festival hosted by Josep M. Folch. In December, Folch will also collaborate with the Paper Dresses Contest as part of the Jury, in addition to distributing gifts among participants. “For 2025 we plan to continue with our anniversary actions, with more collaborations at events, so let the party go on!”, company sources announce.

Present and future of the company

Quality products, ongoing research towards excellence, specialization, attentive customer service, adapting to what is new, always aware of market needs, solid and reliable delivery terms…these are all values help by a team of highly professional people who are passionate about the project, all of them so vital to Folch’s history and their current pride in celebrating 100 years in business.

When assessing the present and future, their outlook is positive. “Folch has earned the glamour that is attached to its name. These past 15 years we have sown, and now we are reaping. We opened new doors for our pins in so many areas unexpectedly welcoming us, and our collection of pins is unique in the world. All of this is thanks to our clients and the vision of Josep M. Folch who knew how to anticipate what was coming and chose to open our company to the world. We are able to meet the world’s needs with our pins”, company sources explain.

“There’s no fashion show without Folch pins”, is what the sector says. We could very well believe that this will remain true for many years to come!