To the Marchionione would almost believe that the mastery of wood runs through the veins. Since 1928, three generations of men work with passion within the family carpentryto Venaco
At the four corners of the carpentry, each of the Marchionis works attentively to his table. Concentration and thoroughness are required. If there’s room for mutual aid and macagna, we’ll get back to work soon. And here, it works hard. “The quality of work depends on our results. LPeople have always judged us and they judge us in relation to what we do”, explains the voice Jérôme, 59 years old. Alongside him, his sons Valentin and Jérémy, and his brother Pascal, agree. They have known this for some time: quality is a guarantee of loyalty.
“It’s ancient carpentry, there’s a lot of experience here”, enjoy Jérôme and Pascal. No doubt. When he enters the almost century-old shop, founded in 1928 by his maternal grandfather, the decoration seems not to have changed one iota. Except the presence of imposing modern machines, signs of the passage of the industrial revolution.
A carpentry “old”, of course, but also the family. At least for the Marchioni men’s line. “Dad worked with dad for ten years and he took over in the 50s or 60s”says one. “It was in 63, I believe”, added the other. It is difficult to trace the exact chronology of the company, which over time has become a real part of the Venacais heritage.
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We are in 1993 when the two brothers – who have “still works there” – take their turn at the head of the carpentry. Since then, two new members have joined the family adventure. First Jérémy, Jérôme’s youngest son, in 2017. Then Valentin, his older brother, who followed suit in September. However, to say it was noticeable is tempting “nothing was taken for granted, no one forced their hand”says the father.
And for good reason. The latest addition to the team worked for the first time across the Atlantic on highway projects for developing countries. “Sure, it was more profitable, but at least you really earn something there”, he comments. Working not only in the quartet, but also in the family, is not complicated for the Marchionis. On the contrary. “We have always worked like this, we divide the tasks and each of us has his share of the work to do, they detail. And of course we help each other out when we need each other.”
“It’s in us”
Cabinet making, carpentry, made-to-measure and personalized wood, installation and resale of aluminum and PVC… Once the exhaustive list of services has been enumerated, getting the Marchionis to talk about the emotional attachment that binds them to their business is not easy. . Shyness? Not really. Simply hardworking people who love what they do. “Knowing that it belonged to our grandfather and then to our father makes the carpentry in our hearts … it is in us”they end up entrusting, after a long time, to their fifty-year-old brothers.
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“It’s a work of passion and none of us were forced to do it”insists the quartet. “If you don’t like what you’re doing, don’t worry”, continues Jérôme, faced with unanimous acquiescence. It’s hard not to believe it when you know that in busy times, “you can spend a whole week in the workshop, without moving”.
If everyone has undergone training “get into the nails”One thing is certain, “here you learn more than in the centre”. There’s nothing like learning on the job to really get your feet wet.
Before leaving the carpentry shop, it’s impossible not to ask yourself: will the team one day grow with the potential offspring of younger siblings? “What is certain is that three generations have passed in the shop and, who knows, maybe there will be a fourth”, slips Jérôme, with a smile. Nothing is less secure. Because here the transmission is done out of passion, not out of obligation.
