Founded by artisans, Maison Gilbert has spanned centuries, led by generations of passionate blacksmiths who helped shape the ironwork and hardware industry in Luxembourg.
What are the origins of Maison Gilbert, and how did it begin in Luxembourg?
Maison Gilbert traces its roots to Pierre Gilbert, a young blacksmith from Gruningen, Hesse, who settled in Luxembourg in 1805. He first married his employer’s widow, then, after her passing, married Catherine Wunsch, establishing a family with eight children. Pierre, along with his sons Mathias and Henri, set up their forge on Rue des Bains. Their creations, such as the famous large key and the fence surrounding the monument to King William II, showcased their renowned craftsmanship. The family forge also connected two esteemed artisan families when Mathias married Marie Neuberg in 1861, the daughter of a prominent farrier. Though initially hesitant due to religious differences, Marie and Mathias’s union was harmonious and laid a foundation of prosperity that would endure across generations.
How did Maison Gilbert develop and adapt over the decades?
Maison Gilbert demonstrated remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, particularly through the efforts of Mathias Gilbert and Marie Neuberg. After Mathias’s premature death in 1890, Marie continued the business with her son Pierre. The family store moved to 11 Rue de l’Arsenal, offering better visibility and a more suitable workspace for the expanding business. As sons Paul and Jules joined the company, Maison Gilbert modernized itself. In 1914, following Pierre’s incapacitation, Paul returned from abroad to take up the torch, keeping the business united through difficult family events, such as the death of their sister Catherine’s husband, which left her with seven children. Despite these challenges, the family remained close-knit, and their company became an economic mainstay.
“Our ambition was always to offer services suited to a modern, discerning clientele.”
What transformations marked Maison Gilbert’s expansion in modern times?
Maison Gilbert continued modernizing under the leadership of the next generation, particularly Paul and Victor Klees, Mathias’s grandsons. With rising industrial demand and increased needs in hardware, the brothers embarked on major renovations in the 1950s, acquiring strategic properties and launching a modern depot in Bonnevoie in 1971. In 2001, to meet the needs of a broader clientele, they sold the Bonnevoie sites and relocated to Ehlerange. This new service center, far beyond a traditional store, represented a significant step forward. In 2007, acquiring the Belgian and Luxembourg companies Genin S.A. and Ferolux S.A. supported their ambition for regional expansion. Today, Maison Gilbert is well-established as a key supplier of materials and hardware across the Greater Region, combining respect for tradition with a strong capacity for innovation.
