... or how vmc peche has grown to be the global leader in treble hooks and supplier to 70 countries around the world.
It was in 1910 that VMC’s illustrious heritage in hook production began at its ironworks in Grandvillars, East France but the origins of the family-owned company actually go further back than even that – much further in fact.
It all started over two hundred years ago in 1796, when the Viellard family appointed Jean-Baptiste Migeon as Manager of its steel forge. When in 1835 Jean-Baptiste’s daughter married Juvenal Viellard, their initials were combined to form "VMC". And so it was that in 1996, Viellard Migeon and Company, the Family Holding Company, joined the ‘Henokiens’, an exclusive group of 200-year-old family businesses.
1910 | |
the first vmc hooksFrench family company Viellard Migeon and Company, established in 1796, begins to produce fish hooks. |
1938 | |
the vmc hook factoryProfits grow and a new dedicated fish hook factory is opened in Morvillars, France - where VMC hooks are still manufactured today. |
1950 | |
the golden ageVMC, now employing 450 workers in the hook factory, leads the French hook market. |
1969 | |
a visionary leaderArrival of new director Christophe Viellard and his dual strategy of automatic machining and international growth, sharply focused on treble hooks. | ![]() |
1970s | |
technological revolutionInvention and construction of unique automatic machines, led by factory director Norbert Heyer and the late engineer Roger Billet. |
1980s | |
international growthExtra volume rapidly drives VMC’s booming export business, opening up new markets. | ![]() |
1981 | |
eftta : a new voice for the industryVMC is amongst the founding senior members of the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) and its annual international trade exhibition EFTTEX. |
1990 onwards | |
infinite technologiesVMC continues to develop and market exclusive innovations in hook design and manufacturing processes. VMC trademark technologies include CONE CUT®, VANADIUM®, FASTGRIP®, BARBARIAN®, SURESET® (SCORPIC), PERMASTEEL®, SPARK POINT®, SPINSHOT® and STRATEGIK®. | ![]() |
1995 | |
creation of VMC EUROPEVMC EUROPE, located close to the VMC factory becomes responsible for European Distribution, led by Mr Norbert Heyer. |
2000 | |
birth of the Rapala-VMC Corporation(visit corporate website) VMC, global market leader in treble hook production and sales joins forces with RAPALA, the world's leading lure maker. | ![]() |
2001 | |
a new presidentArrival of VMC PECHE's current President and Managing Director, Mr Stanislas de Castelnau, succeeding Christophe Viellard upon his retirement. |
2010 | |
vmc celebrates a century of excellenceThe VMC factory, distributors and partners worldwide celebrate 100 years of fish hook production in France. VMC PECHE is certified as a “Living Heritage Company” under the French Government’s prestigious EPV Entreprise de Patrimoine Vivant label, recognized for its rare and exceptional know-how “made in France”. | ![]() |