Cornilleau through the years
Cornilleau is the story of a French company that has moved with the times while remaining true to its values. It is a family adventure shaped by passion, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. From the joinery workshop founded in 1946 to a table tennis reference and a creator of contemporary game furniture, discover the milestones that made Cornilleau.
A joiner’s story in post-war France
Émile Cornilleau left Paris and settled in Bonneuil-les-Eaux, where post-war reconstruction created an urgent need for skilled joinery. He opened a workshop in an old agricultural building, and the Cornilleau story began there.
“Come to Bonneuil — there will be more than enough work.”
“We need 300 tables for Christmas”
The Parisian BHV store asked the workshop to make table tennis tables. After seeing three prototypes, it ordered 300 tables with only seven months until Christmas. Pierre persuaded his father to invest in machinery, turning the craft workshop into an industrial operation and laying the foundation for the future brand.
“Machines? We simply need to buy them!”
A partnership with Jacques Secrétin
To become more than a manufacturer, Cornilleau partnered with multiple French champion and 1976 European champion Jacques Secrétin. His expertise shaped the competition tables, and model 420 became the “420 Secrétin”.
“I realised that, for competition, perhaps I should listen to the champions.”
Table tennis moves outdoors
Outdoor tables were still too expensive, so Pierre Cornilleau set out to make them accessible. The technical team adopted solid laminate, previously used in construction. The new range opened the way to durable, weather-resistant tables for family play outdoors.
“New technology let us make genuine outdoor tables much more affordable.”
New talent and a new direction
Michel Zany joined to build Cornilleau’s commercial and marketing dimension. Working with Pierre, he chose specialist sports retailers, mid-to-premium positioning and international development over price-led competition in hypermarkets.
“Pierre, I think we should stop selling through hypermarkets.”
A world champion becomes a brand ambassador
After winning Olympic silver in Barcelona, Jean-Philippe Gatien became an official Cornilleau ambassador and, only months later, won the 1993 World Championship. His experience supported future innovation and the next generation of players.
“One of the keys to success is surpassing yourself.”
The Compact table, Pierre’s breakthrough
As competition intensified, Pierre Cornilleau responded with a radical innovation. The folding Compact table made a major advance in safety and ergonomics and set new expectations for recreational table tennis.
“I already had a few sketches tucked away.”
Cornilleau expands beyond France
Michel Zany strengthened the team and created a focused export plan. Over time, Cornilleau products reached five continents and more than 80 countries, making international growth one of the company’s main drivers.
“Export will become the main engine of growth.”
More than tables
Pierre Cornilleau handed leadership to Michel Zany, and the range began to diversify. Recreational bats arrived first, followed by Tacteo, developed with Michelin: outdoor bats made from polymer and elastomer composites.
“We must keep daring to go further.”
A major step into competition
Cornilleau built a team of marketing and R&D specialists, with Jean-Philippe Gatien joining the marketing team. Simon Gauzy joined Team Cornilleau in 2010, followed by Hugo Calderano two years later. Supporting young athletes became central to the programme.
“The true value of sponsorship is supporting athletes on their way to the top.”
Product and design take centre stage
Function and safety had long set Cornilleau apart, and design now became central to its innovation strategy. Launched in 2016, the Crossover outdoor range embodied the union of form, usability and technology.
“The art of linking function and form has helped us stand apart.”
More than table tennis
In the fiftieth year of its table tennis journey, Cornilleau opened a new chapter with Hyphen billiards. Resistant to impacts and weather, it freed billiards from indoor constraints, while its clean-lined top also turned it into a designer garden table.
“Like table tennis, billiards should naturally be playable outdoors.”
