Wirquin - The culture of innovation

With Daniel Le Coënt, every idea is an opportunity to take on challenges, transforming concepts into concrete solutions that shape the future of sanitary equipment. His bold creativity has inspired new Wirquin employees, who pool their imagination and technical expertise to design and manufacture innovative solutions. Now chaired by his son Grégory Le Coënt, Wirquin's goal remains to develop professionals' performance and improve user comfort. They dare, experiment, and break the mold to meet the challenge of more responsible, more economical, and simpler water management. They develop smart products that save time and space, and guarantee sustainable installations in bathrooms.

Wirquin boasts 47 years of history punctuated by landmark innovations. Each new product from the manufacturer reflects a constant quest for improvement, combining creativity, technical sophistication, and practicality.

The year 1969 marked Daniel Le Coënt's debut in the manufacturing of plastic toilet flushing mechanisms. The innovative idea was driven by his father-in-law, Henri Wirquin, a sanitary appliance wholesaler in Nantes. In 1972, the first production unit was established in Carquefou, on the outskirts of Nantes. Daniel Le Coënt and his wife, Marie-Laure, the company's managing director, moved in. A passion for entrepreneurship spread throughout the family. In 1977, Wirquin SA was formed, marking the start of a remarkable rise marked by innovation.

Innovation: Driving Success - Ingenuity, Performance and Sustainability

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

Did you know?
It was during a water service cut, while grabbing a jug... 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-flush toilet, operating a full (6 L) or half flush (3 L). It marks a turning point in water saving, with more than 22 million units sold, saving 770 billion liters of water worldwide.

Did you know? 
It was while observing the movement of a thumb on a retractable ballpoint pen... that Daniel Le Coënt came up with the idea for the Quick Clac drain and the "easier life" solutions.

1991
The Quick Clac Drain for sinks or bathtubs, it simplifies everyday life. Its principle: one press of the finger closes the drain - another press, the drain opens. 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 for the "Magicoude" and the "ease of installation" solutions.

1992
WC connection PIPE SOUPLESS. This innovation has simplified toilet connections, particularly in renovation projects. Versatile, it adapts to all configurations and, thanks to its central accordion-shaped section, which is adjustable and compressible, allows for easy connection of a toilet bowl to the drain.

1998
MAGICOUDE® is the multi-position fitting. Easy and quick to install, it takes the desired inclination between 0° and 100° and this on two different planes.

Did you know? 
It was by observing individuals unscrewing their siphons and getting their feet wet... that the siphon without a water seal and "space-saving" solutions were born.

2006
The all-in-one siphonis the first siphon with overmolded seals (made of 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 incorporates a silicone membrane that separates to allow water to pass through and immediately re-attaches itself to prevent odors from rising without the need for a traditional water seal. SENZO® is ultra-flat and perfectly flexible.

2005
INTRAMUROS support frameThis wall-hung toilet combines quick installation and design. Its secret: a single-piece support frame made of synthetic resin to connect to the flushing mechanism (3L/6L). Intramuros allows wide accessibility to the tank and the various connections. It can be dressed in record time thanks to the numerous finishes.

2010
Extra-flat SLIM drain. Noting the expansion of the ultra-flat shower tray market, Wirquin launched the first ultra-low-profile shower drain, allowing for low-level installation. The silicone membrane and filter are accessible from above, allowing for easy maintenance.

2015
QUICK-FIT flushing mechanism. This fast, efficient flushing system saves installers valuable time. They don't have to disassemble the cistern to change the mechanism. This unique, patented product fits all toilet configurations.

2015
VENISIO SLIM walk-in shower channel. This channel is ideal for walk-in shower renovations. Its small size and low height allow it to fit into even the smallest spaces. The VENISIO SLIM is available in three lengths: 3 mm, 300 mm, and 500 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 SLIM+ extra-flat 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+ features 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 odors and noise from rising in the pipes.

Creativity for DNA

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

For Daniel Le Coënt, innovation comes through contact with materials, through practice and the use of the product in consumer conditions. This position as an informed observer and user fuels his thinking and creativity. The constant backdrop is a constant obsession with changing, improving, and inventing product solutions.

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