A history of innovation
1946
Émile Cornilleau founded the Cornilleau company, a carpentry and cabinetmaking workshop that would contribute to the reconstruction of housing in the Oise region after the war, an area deeply affected by the recent global conflict. He put his craftsmanship to use, and there was no shortage of projects. After a few years, he began to consider diversifying his activity, as construction did not fully satisfy his desire to create.
1969
First table tennis tables. The BHV, a major Paris department store, approached Cornilleau because it needed 300 tables quickly. Challenge accepted! Cornilleau transformed itself and specialised in table tennis. And even then, the brand’s spirit of innovation was already evident in both the product it managed to create and the way it was manufactured. The company industrialised its know-how and became successful in table tennis. Pierre Cornilleau, who joined his father’s company right after his studies, greatly contributed to this success.
1982
Cornilleau entered the world of competition and secured the services of champion Jacques Secrétin. This collaboration would last nearly 20 years. It helped the brand develop increasingly demanding, innovative, and high-performance products. Cornilleau continues to work with champions today, ensuring that the standards of top-level sport are reflected in its products.
1988
First outdoor table tennis table with solid laminate panels. What seems obvious today was a real revolution at the time. Cornilleau helped popularise table tennis in gardens through the use of this material. Other innovations quickly followed to adapt to outdoor use. Table tennis then became an outdoor activity.
1995
The Compact table, with its patented technology, revolutionised the market by offering an unmatched level of safety and an ultra-compact footprint. It is now possible to easily fold and unfold a table tennis table, move it, and store it while taking up very little space. This system has become a benchmark, widely adopted in the world of table tennis.
2000
Until then a specialist in table tennis tables, the brand expanded its range and launched a complete indoor table tennis bat collection. Developed to meet the needs of all types of players, these bats feature numerous technological innovations, for the enjoyment of the game.
2005
The world’s first outdoor table tennis bat, Tacteo, changed usage habits. Made from a composite material, it is resistant to impacts and weather conditions. There is no longer any need to replace bats every summer, or even to bring them indoors at night. The result of several years of development, Tacteo is based on several patents to offer both excellent playing quality and outstanding durability. With its colourful design, it quickly became a reference.
2013
With its ability to support a load of 1,200 kg and its exceptional playing quality, the Park table offers local authorities a real alternative to concrete table tennis tables. Truly vandal-proof, it has become widely installed in public parks in France and internationally.
2019
The launch of the Hyphen outdoor billiard table marks the first step in Cornilleau’s product diversification strategy. Three years of research and development were required to create a billiard table truly capable of withstanding outdoor conditions while delivering a playing quality in line with the brand’s standards.
2023
Cornilleau develops the Play-Style universe. After billiards, an outdoor table football table and a convertible table tennis table are introduced. Acting as a true bridge between furniture and play, the Play-Style range aims to restore these three leisure activities to their rightful place and put play back at the heart of our lives.
