Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

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Local bell foundry launches new product

Oct. 4, 2007
Charleston Regional Business Journal
Christophe Paccard Bellfoundries, the Johns Island-based U.S. affiliate of Paccard Fonderie des Cloches in Annecy, France, has announced the launch of its new business component with a new product for the U.S. market.

The local bell foundry will manufacture Ars Sonora, a bronze bell that combines sculpture, architecture, sound and performance. The term ars sonora is based on the Latin words for art, ars, and for sound, sonora. Each sculptured bell is a musical instrument.

Paccard Fonderie des Cloches has been casting bronze bells in France since 1796.
The company’s U.S. affiliate, Christophe Paccard Bellfoundries, was established earlier this year and is directed by Stan Christophe.

Cast bronze bells were originally made for church towers. Over time freestanding bells, known as campaniles, were later placed in public squares. Ars Sonora continues innovation in the industry by incorporating bells directly into works of art.

Christophe is in France this week attending an Ars Sonora conference with representatives of major bell design, installation and service companies from around the world. Ars Sonora will be manufactured both on Johns Island and in Annecy, France.

The Johns Island operation employs eight sales and service representatives and has plans to expand.

Paccard bells hang in a number of Charleston area church and bell towers, including St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and The Citadel. 		related information