Vivien Henry from Grenoble opened the Microforge workshop in February 2023. Located in Saint-Martin-d’Hères, this place organizes bicycle trailer construction courses, accessible to individuals and professionals.
“We seek to provide solutions to the problems of soft mobility, keeping the objective of using as few raw materials as possible (for example by using second-hand or recycled materials)”, explains Vivien Henry.
This advocates the “do it yourself” (do it yourself, in French) in the service of ecology and offers to make yourself an elegant and solid bicycle trailer. This accompaniment is done in the form of courses of only two days, the time of a weekend.
Launched only a short time ago, these workshops filled up quickly. “It’s the passion for ‘do it yourself’, the desire to learn how to do it yourself”, analyzes its founder.
Novices as well as experienced do-it-yourselfers will find what they are looking for in the program.
Offer an alternative to the car in town
Participants have the opportunity to use machine tools such as the drill press, the grinder or the jigsaw, but above all to train in more elaborate techniques such as arc welding or cored wire. A rather unique opportunity to work with steel and wood.
The first courses welcomed individuals wishing to manufacture their trailer, but also contractors and companies who need a solution for their activity.
Vivien Henry insists on the fact that these courses are for everyone: “I would like these trailers to be part of a real alternative to the car in town. »
In this original company, he teamed up with Léna, converted into welding, who joined him for the development of these courses and their animation. Both have a real passion for working with steel and especially for transmitting their techniques. “This course allowed me to learn techniques to which it is rare to have access, such as arc welding”, explains Aude, a participant.
The workshop is currently located in the premises of the G’récup workshop. A move is planned in the coming months, Vigny Musset district in Grenoble. This larger space will allow the development of a plastic recycling micro-factory, thanks to the work of Precious Plastic.
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