The Turner name back in evidence

The familiar name of Turner made a comeback at the recent edition of Tanning Tech. Headed by ex Mercier Turner managing director Didier Chambon, the new company, which retains head offices in Annonay, France, own the Turner name and much of the machinery from the old Mercier Turner set-up, with the exception of the new generation of splitting machines. During several years of acquisition, the original company Mercier Freres bought a number of other machinery manufacturers such as Charvo and Rouanet before buying Turner Germany and changing their name to reflect the importance of the Turner reputation. When Mercier Turner were split into a number of units for sale by auction over several months towards the end of last year, the division included a separation of the two names as well as dividing the spare parts and blueprints of a wide range of tanning machinery into various lots. Turner's equity is now in three equal parts with Chambon as the major shareholder. Ownership is divided between two owners and another company in which Chambon also has shares thus giving him the largest slice. The company went into operation in September and hold a wide range of drawings of machines from Mercier Freres, Turner and the other companies acquired by them. They have retained some of the former employees who have a wealth of experience working with the existing machines. These will be rationalised according to demand and there is the additional benefit of a huge amount of spare parts for models such as the Etir and Settorella setters, Lunetteuse stakers and Dolray dry shaver. They currently hold 3,000 sq m of spare parts and Philippe Sourice is in charge of this department. Email: turner-sas@wanadoo.fr