Facnor

Overview

Facnor manufactures furling systems for sailing boats, supplying shipyards and ocean sailors. It positions as a leader in headsail, flying sails, and mainsail furling systems, with products used by 80% of French sailing boat manufacturers and many worldwide.¹²⁵

History

Facnor was founded in 1981 as a French industrial company focused on sailing equipment innovation.¹ It has grown within the Wichard Group, maintaining production sites in France and the US.¹² Key developments include advanced furling systems for racing and custom applications, supported by input from professional ocean racers.³⁵

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Facnor operates six production sites: two in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, one each in Thiers, Périgny, and Saint Malo in France, and one in Charlotte, NC, USA.² Products are designed and manufactured in-house with a focus on quality and reliability.¹

Notable Products

• FX+ Furlers - Lightweight continuous line furlers for gennakers and Code Zero sails, developed with ocean racers.
• Headsail Furlers - Structural systems supplied to 80% of French boat manufacturers.
• Mainsail Furling Systems - Systems for reliable mainsail handling on cruising and racing boats.
• HL/HB/HE/HSW Locks - Range of locks for masts, booms, and hardware.
• Spinnaker Poles - Poles and outhauls for flying sails.

Reputation

Facnor is recognized for reliable, high-quality furling systems used by shipyards and professional racers.¹³⁵ Enthusiasts value its innovation and durability from French manufacturing.² It maintains a network of 170 resellers in 35 countries, indicating strong professional trust.¹