There are just under 60 companies worldwide that share a very rare commonality: they have existed for over two centuries, are still run by direct descendants of their founder, and continue to operate from their region of origin. This group is called the Hénokiens. The SE Tarrerias Bonjean Group — parent company of the TB-Outdoor brand — is one of them. Here's what that really means, and why it's not just another honorary distinction.
What is the Hénokiens association?
Founded in 1981 at the initiative of the CEO of Marie Brizard, himself a descendant of his company's founder, the Hénokiens association takes its name from Enoch, a biblical figure said to have lived 365 years — a symbol chosen to embody the exceptional longevity of its member companies.
To join this circle, a company must meet three cumulative criteria, without exception:
- Longevity — at least 200 years of continuous existence.
- Family continuity — still managed by one or more direct descendants of the founder, with real involvement in management, not just as a shareholder.
- Financial health — the company must demonstrate real economic viability, not just historical assets.
The association currently has around 57 members worldwide, with a strong French, Italian, and Japanese representation — three countries where the culture of multi-century family businesses is most developed.
The SE Tarrerias Bonjean Group, a Hénokien company
It is the SE Tarrerias Bonjean Group — the parent company that owns the TB-Outdoor and TB-1648 brands, and which manages the industrial subsidiary GDD — that is a member of the Hénokiens. TB-Outdoor is the outdoor and military brand of this group, not a separate legal entity with its own membership.
The lineage dates back to 1580, with Claude Tarrerias, the family's first recorded master grinder in Thiers. Departmental archives officially record his activity in 1648 in Celles-sur-Durolle. Thirteen generations later, the company is run by Eric and Carole Tarrerias, direct descendants of this lineage. More than 440 years separate these two dates — well above the 200-year threshold required by the Hénokiens.
What this status concretely guarantees a buyer
Hénokien status is not just another line on an "About Us" page. It has direct and verifiable implications for anyone buying a TB-Outdoor knife:
A guarantee of continuity over decades
A central criterion of the Hénokiens is operational sustainability — not just historical, but projected into the future. For a C.A.C.® buyer, this means a strong probability that spare parts (safety axle, strap cutter, handle scales) will remain available in ten, twenty, or thirty years. This is an argument that TB-Outdoor already emphasizes to the French army, which needs this long-term supply certainty.
Governance not subject to investor cycles
Unlike a company acquired by an investment fund, a family business run by its founders has no quarterly profitability obligation that would push it to sacrifice manufacturing quality to reduce costs. Maintaining full vertical integration at GDD — rather than cheaper but less traceable outsourcing — is part of this long-term strategy.
Transmitted know-how, not acquired
The know-how of grinding and steel treatment has been passed down through thirteen generations within the same family, not acquired through the purchase of a brand or patent. This is an asset that Hénokien recognition independently validates — the admission criteria are verified by the association itself, not declared by the company.
A very restricted circle, little known to the general public
The rarity of Hénokien status — fewer than 60 companies worldwide, across all sectors — makes it a signal of authority that is difficult to challenge or imitate. Unlike a quality certification that any company can aim for in a few years, membership in the Hénokiens literally cannot be bought or accelerated: it requires two centuries of continuous family existence to qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Is TB-Outdoor a member of the Hénokiens?
It is the SE Tarrerias Bonjean Group, parent company of TB-Outdoor, that is a member of the Hénokiens. TB-Outdoor is one of the group's commercial brands, along with TB-1648 for table cutlery.
How many French companies are members of the Hénokiens?
France is one of the best-represented countries within the association, alongside Italy and Japan.
Does Hénokien status impact the price of TB-Outdoor knives?
Not directly. It reflects the company's structure and governance, not a pricing policy. Its impact is rather measured in the continuity of manufacturing and the availability of spare parts in the long term.
