In the first issue of MEDUA, we have the pleasure of talking with Bernard Leparoux, Head of CUPA STONE in Nantes, who retires following a career of 40 years. On the occasion of his retirement, we visited him to get to know his experience with natural stone, the transformation of the sector throughout his career, and the role currently played by CUPA STONE.

What was your job? How do you see the change in the company over the years?

When I started, there were very few natural stone products (8 different colours) and, with the exception of one or two that we bought at small local quarries, they were all produced by us. Paving was built according to the ancient Roman technique, Opus Incertum, using irregularly shaped and randomly placed stones in a concrete wall, with natural bricks, a little gravel and sand.
Everything changed from the 1980s, when new technologies such as the infrared edge cutting machine accelerated and simplified workflow. We invested in equipment in several quarries, allowing us to increase the number of products, and, thanks to the development of land and maritime transport, we could market the foreign products we bought, either locally or by directly importing them.

Natural stone is an important building material. Which are its new uses?

Naturally, stone has always been an essential building element. Our ancestors used what they had available, which they extracted manually and transported with little means. The stone was normally installed by a mason, could be seen above all in buildings and for the richer, on floors. Its finish was always unpolished and, depending on its origin, its texture rough, which meant stone was not regarded as a building element as we see it today for both exteriors and interiors.

Now this has all changed. Gardens have become a new place in the house. Today we spend more time outdoors than indoors. Nowadays, people are much more interested in aesthetically improving the outdoor areas of their homes, where stone has a major role to play.

For you, what is the most innovative aspect of the stone sector today?

To answer this question, we need to differentiate two types of innovation: one related to production, since nowadays nearly all our products have regular thicknesses, in addition to their surface finish, making the product, in principle with a common appearance, something unique and natural.
The second is related to the innovation in product ranges. The arrival of emerging countries has been essential for the development of our activity, since they bring us new resources from their mountains and subsoils. There is still a lot to be done and I’m sure there will soon be further developments.

Which are the works of which you are most satisfied?

In 40 years, we have completed many projects. The ones we tend to remember most are the most important ones as they are often the most complicated, and we dedicate a lot of time to them.
Some of them are: Cours des 50-Otages in Nantes, the Centre Communal d’Action Sociale in Pointe-à-Pitre, the Nante Cité Des Congrès, the Nantes Republique Building, and Château de Chambord in Blois. Although we are extremely proud of these works, we are also very satisfied when a private customer tells us they are delighted with their terrace or swimming pool.

Why did Nantes Pierres decide to collaborate with CUPA STONE seven years ago?

Despite offers from other groups, we chose to sell our company to CUPA STONE in 2007 after a long history that started in 1998. That year, CUPA STONE responded favourably to our application to purchase the Saint-Yrieix quarry. After seven years, I think we can be proud of our success.

Personally, the Group allowed me to take decisions, reflect, analyse and finally decide. The company has helped me to be more rigorous in the day-to-day management. I take this opportunity to thank the Group management for placing its trust in me.

Today what is your perception of CUPA STONE in the French Stone sector?

We have to be the market leaders, with unbeatable quality products, but that also innovate constantly, as is the case of the development of STONEPANEL®. We are the owners of quarries with unique stones like Quartzites from Villafranca, Infercoa or Saint-Yrieix Gneiss. Much remains to be done, but we’re on the right track.

Nowadays, people are much more interested in aesthetically improving the outdoor areas of their homes, where stone has a major role to play.

We have to be the market leaders, with unbeatable quality products.