GONG SPACE CENTER: THE GONG SPACE CENTER EXTENSION RISES FROM THE GROUND!

Interview with Patrice Guénolé, boss and shaper at GONG, about the ongoing expansion of the GONG Space Center.

Hello Patrice, can you tell us about the GONG Space Center expansion project?

It’s a major expansion project. The goal is to bring back all the storage capacity we already have but that is currently outside our premises. These are facilities we rent on the Guérande Peninsula. We're relocating everything here. These aren't additional facilities, so it's low risk for us. Currently, we have 5 meters of clear height for storage in our existing building, but here we'll have 10 meters of clear height over a much larger area.

Between the time it took to get permits and the growth we've experienced (which continues), the first building has never been able to hold all the products we store. The expansion project was launched even before we received the GONG Space Center from the architect. Thanks to this extension, our logistics teams, who perform the impressive feat of shipping several thousand orders each week, will see their work significantly eased. The organization will be much smoother and more comfortable, especially during seasonal peak periods when space for preparing orders limited our ability to scale up, despite strengthened teams working in two shifts. For our customers, it’s an added guarantee of receiving their orders in time for their next session.

How was the environmental aspect considered for this project at GONG?

Our first concern was to preserve the green surroundings. Of course, building a structure has an impact, but we’re trying to minimize it, optimizing land use without cutting down any trees. We'll have an underground parking lot, warehouses above, offices above that, and a photovoltaic farm on top. Ten years ago, these four functions would have been spread across 4 m², but we’re condensing them into 1 m². That’s how this project is as non-destructive as possible. We preserved all the trees—didn’t cut any—just trimmed a few branches. I even bought the forest here to fully protect it.

The solar farm on the roof will produce the equivalent of the annual energy consumption of 340 households in France. In terms of space optimization, it’s hard to do better.

Aerial view before the construction started:

Is this space only for storage?

Not at all. We're planning 300 m² of social spaces for employees, with a break room, nap room, kitchen, lounge, and even a foosball table… And there’s a 100-space underground parking lot, which adds €1.9 million to the cost. Keep in mind, I’m the sole investor, which is a big deal for someone like me, son of a factory worker. But this saves 3,000 m² of natural land.

Speaking of storage, why do you refuse to do dropshipping at GONG despite your logistics capability?

At GONG, dropshipping is out of the question. We develop our products, test them, touch them, handle them, inspect them, package them, and then ship them, while staying in touch with all our clients. It’s important for me to hold all the products I design in my hands. Owning the entire chain has always been our model and it will remain so. We started as a small workshop, and that space is still central to our growth. Sure, we now have capabilities that are incomparable to the past with a CNC machine, a sail loft, 3D printers, and a whole R&D department, but the spirit remains the same.

What drives this project from your perspective as an entrepreneur?

No entrepreneur is successful without doing what they love. I want to share what I love deeply and for me, that’s board sports. It creates jobs, and it's done with a certain respect: for my passion, for you, for nature, for my employees. It’s a balance that took time to achieve, but it was always in my mind. When people say my shop is a childhood dream, they have no idea how true that is. My goal is to make beautiful things with as many people around me as possible. Today, GONG is in 80 countries—that’s super cool. This extension will simply help sustain this project I share with a motivated and passionate team that keeps growing.