Wirquin: The culture of innovation

His bold creativity has inspired the new Wirquin employees who pool their imagination and technical expertise to design and manufacture innovative solutions. Today chaired by his son Grégory Le Coënt, Wirquin's goal is to develop the performance of professionals and improve user comfort. They dare, experiment and break the codes to meet the challenge of more responsible, more economical and simpler water management. They develop intelligent products that save time and space, and guarantee sustainable installations in wet rooms.

Wirquin has 47 years of history marked by flagship innovations. Each new product from the manufacturer reflects a constant quest for improvement, combining creativity, technicality and practicality.

The year 1969 marked the beginning of Daniel Le Coënt's career in the manufacture of plastic flushing mechanisms. The innovative idea was driven by his father-in-law, Henri Wirquin, a wholesaler of sanitary appliances in Nantes. In 1972, a first production unit was set up in Carquefou, on the outskirts of Nantes. Daniel Le Coënt and his wife Marie-Laure, the company's general manager, moved in. The passion for entrepreneurship spread throughout the family. In 1977, SA Wirquin was formed: the starting point for a great rise under the banner of innovation.

Innovation: the engine of success

Ingenuity, performance and durability

Wirquin is the story of a company that relentlessly innovates to reinvent sanitary equipment. Each product is designed to simplify users' lives while meeting the expectations of international markets. This philosophy is reflected in major advances that have redefined industry standards:

Did you know?

It was during a water cut, when grabbing a pitcher… that Daniel Le Coënt had the idea for the “3 L/6 L” mechanism and the “environmental” solutions.

1989

The 3L/6L MW2 flush mechanism is the first dual-control flush, operating a full (6L) or half flush (3L). It marks a turning point in water saving, with over 22 million units sold, saving 770 billion litres of water worldwide.

Did you know?

It was by observing the movement of a thumb on a retractable ballpoint pen... that Daniel Le Coënt had the idea for the Quick Clac plug and the “easier life” solutions.

1991

The Quick Clac Drain for washbasins or bathtubs makes everyday life easier. Its principle: one press of the finger, the drain is closed – another press, the drain is open. This innovation is a real success! Millions of units have been sold since its launch. The Quick Clac system has since been adopted by all drain manufacturers in Europe and around the world.

Did you know?

It was when he saw children sipping orange juice through a straw that Daniel Le Coënt came up with the idea of ​​the “Magicoude” and the “easy to install” solutions.

1992

WC PIPE SOUPLESS connection. This innovation has simplified WC connections, particularly in renovation work. Versatile, it adapts to all configurations and, thanks to its central accordion-shaped part, which can be swiveled and compressed, allows a WC bowl to be easily connected to the drain.

1998

MAGICOUDE^® is the multi-position connector. Easy and quick to install, it takes the desired inclination between 0° and 100° and that on two different planes.

Did you know?

It was by observing individuals unscrewing their siphon and getting their feet covered in it... that the siphon without water seal and the "space saving" solutions were born.

2006

The all-in-one siphon is the first siphon with overmolded seals (elastomer) that ensure a perfect seal. Universal, it adapts to sinks, washbasins, bidets and hand basins. Equipped with the push-fit system, it connects by simple interlocking, without glue or tools. Space-saving, it was available in four colors when it was launched.

2007

SENZO® the siphon without water seal. An innovative concept that integrates a silicone membrane that moves apart to let water pass through and immediately re-attaches itself to prevent odors from rising without the need for a traditional water seal. The SENZO® is extra-flat and perfectly flexible.

2005

INTRAMUROS support frame. This wall-hung toilet combines quick installation and design. Its secret: a single-piece support frame made of synthetic resin to be connected to the flush mechanism (3L/6L). Intramuros allows wide accessibility to the tank and the various connections. It can be dressed in record time thanks to the many finishes.

2010

Extra-flat SLIM drain. Noting the expansion of the extra-flat shower tray market, Wirquin is launching the first shower drain with a very small footprint, allowing for low-level installation. The silicone membrane and filter are accessible from above, allowing for easy maintenance.

2015

QUICK-FIT flush mechanism. This fast and efficient flush system saves installers valuable time. They do not have to dismantle the tank to change the mechanism. Unique, the patented product meets all WC configurations.

2015

VENISIO SLIM walk-in shower channel. This channel is ideal for walk-in showers in renovation. Its small size and low height allow it to adapt to the smallest spaces. The VENISIO SLIM is available in 3 lengths: 300 mm, 500 mm and 700 mm.

2018

WIRQUIN NEO. The new generation of WIRQUIN NEO sink and washbasin traps is designed with innovative and patented functions: reliable thanks to its bi-injected seals, quick to install with its Quick-Safe function and innovative with its Air System function (replaces the installation of anti-vacuum on the pipe).

2021

The extra-flat SLIM+ shower drain patented by Wirquin is the most compact on the market with only 4 cm of clearance height under the tray. It guarantees a safe and leak-free installation with its bi-injected seal integrated into the drain head. SLIM+ has SMART MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY patented by Wirquin: a cartridge equipped with a silicone membrane with a valve that opens to let water through and closes to prevent bad odours and noise from rising in the pipes.

Creativity for DNA

The Wirquin method is first of all a good flair, an ability to imagine, to associate everyday elements that, at first glance, have nothing to do with each other. Then the skills of the designers come into play to trace the lines of the future product, give it its volumes, select the materials and compose with the laws of physics.

For Daniel Le Coënt, innovation comes through contact with the material, through practice and use of the product in consumer conditions. This position of observer and enlightened user nourishes his thinking and creation. In the permanent background, the obsession to change, improve and invent product solutions.

For Daniel Le Coënt: "The product is something wonderful. It can be static, alive, shimmering, naked, atypical, didactic... all or nothing, it only depends on the way you look at it, the way you approach it or ignore it. It is you who will then make it exist, transform it, modify it, put it in your hands, in those of others."