Chacom is one of the most traditional pipe manufacturers still in operation today. The company is based in Saint-Claude, a region in the French Jura that is world-renowned for its pipe production. In fact, Chacom is a brand manufactured by the company Chapuis Comoy.
Chacom Pipes: Traditional Craftsmanship Since 1825
The story began in 1825 when the Comoy family crafted wooden pipe stems in a small town near Saint-Claude. The company's founder, Henri Comoy, born in 1850, established connections with his cousins from the Chapuis family—also engaged in pipe manufacturing—during his captivity in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. Nine years later, they jointly established England's first briar pipe factory in London, launching the Comoy's brand under the company H. Comoy & Co. Ltd. After World War I, the business flourished, and the British branch gradually became independent from French supplies. To maintain production in Saint-Claude, the Chacom brand was created and initially distributed in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. By the 1930s, the factory employed over 450 workers, making it one of the largest pipe manufacturers worldwide. Following World War II, Chacom expanded to Scandinavia, Germany, and the United States.
The Path to Modernization
Until 1970, there was a connection between Chapuis Comoy in the UK and the French parent company. Afterward, Yves Grenard, an experienced employee, took over the factory in Saint-Claude and drove expansion into Japan, China, and Eastern European markets. In the 1990s, brand rights, production techniques, and raw materials from Jeantet, Ropp, Vuilliard, and Jean Lacroix were acquired and consolidated under the name S.A. Cuty-Fort.
The Success Story of Chacom
Today, the company is managed by Antoine Grenard, the son of Yves Grenard. As an engineer with a passion for design and international experience from Ireland, he continues the tradition with a fresh perspective. Despite the declining pipe industry in Saint-Claude, Chacom employs a remarkable staff of 25 for the industry.
More than 60,000 pipes are produced annually. Antoine is concerned about the decline in jobs but acknowledges that Saint-Claude still produces pipes of exceptional quality. However, market trends, such as the rise of Freehand models and increasing competition from Italy and Denmark, were overlooked for too long. While focusing on traditional designs, the preferences of pipe enthusiasts worldwide evolved.
A Treasure Trove of Raw Materials
Antoine Grenard aims to modernize designs without neglecting the brand’s roots. Chacom remains a key supplier of pre-formed pipe bowls and stems. Their inventory includes numerous blanks from acquired brands, made from old Algerian briar wood—an exceptional material with outstanding smoking properties. Since Algeria has ceased supplying briar wood for pipe making since the 1960s, these stocks are particularly valuable.
The mouthpieces of Chacom pipes are primarily manufactured in-house using high-quality materials such as acrylic, ebonite, and Cumberland, which are meticulously handcrafted.
Chacom Pipes: Timeless Elegance from the French Jura
The Chacom brand offers a wide range of pipes, from classic pipes to unique models with fine metal and acrylic embellishments. There are frequent collaborations with renowned pipe makers such as Tom Eltang. Since 2016, production has been housed in a modern glass-walled factory with a showroom and smoker’s lounge in Saint-Claude.
Visitors can learn more about the region's rich pipe-making tradition at the new factory. The spacious production site is well-prepared for future challenges.
Chacom: A Brand for Discerning Connoisseurs
Chacom pipes are the perfect choice for enthusiasts of traditional craftsmanship seeking a top-tier smoking experience. The premium, often decades-old wood and the intricate grain patterns make each pipe a unique companion—at a fair price.
