Hermès International Société en commandite par actions, trading as OTCMKTS:HESAF, is a French luxury goods manufacturer founded in Paris in 1837 by Thierry Hermès. Originally established as a harness workshop catering to European nobility, the company has evolved over nearly two centuries into a global purveyor of high-end products. Hermès remains privately held, with the Hermès family maintaining significant influence over its strategic direction and upholding the brand’s heritage of artisanal craftsmanship.
The company’s core business activities span several distinct segments, including leather goods, ready-to-wear apparel, silk scarves and ties, fragrances, jewelry, watches and home décor. Leather goods and saddlery represent Hermès’s historic roots and remain central to its brand identity, with iconic offerings such as the Birkin and Kelly bags commanding enduring prestige. Hermès’s ready-to-wear collections blend contemporary design with traditional atelier techniques, while its fragrance arm draws on long-standing perfumery expertise to create signature scents.
Hermès operates a vertically integrated production model, owning workshops in France, Switzerland and select international locations. This structure enables strict quality control and close collaboration between designers, artisans and craftsmen. The company distributes its products through a network of directly operated boutiques, e-commerce platforms and select wholesale partners in major markets across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East. Flagship stores in Paris, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo serve as experiential hubs, reflecting the brand’s commitment to luxury retail excellence.
Leadership at Hermès remains deeply rooted in the founding family, with Axel Dumas serving as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the sixth generation to guide the business. Under his stewardship, the company has continued to balance respect for its artisanal heritage with selective expansion into new categories such as home furnishings and digital services. Hermès’s steady emphasis on craftsmanship, limited production runs and controlled distribution has helped preserve its reputation as one of the world’s most coveted luxury houses.
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