Grad®: a Burger & Cie brand
Grad® is a French company, based in Alsace, specializing in outdoor wood applications, such as decking and exterior cladding projects, but also interior fittings (interior cladding, ceiling paneling).
Years perfecting our system
35
Patents and distinctions
10
Professional network
500
For over 30 years, the Grad® team has been perfecting the invisible fastening system with its clip. Through its spirit of innovation, its vision of a durable product, and the experience gained from its customers, Grad® continues to develop its intelligent, versatile, and easy-to-use system. Thanks to the product’s inventiveness, aesthetics, and durability, Grad® has established itself over the years as a product of excellence, of interest to both end-users and landscapers and architects. Building on its solid foundations and dedicated teams, Grad® is exported worldwide to conquer and convince new users.
Our history
1988
The beginning of the story
It was in 1988, in the village of Niedermodern in Alsace, that Grad® was born under the name Architecture du Bois. Founded by Wilfried Andres, the company specialized from its beginnings in the design and creation of outdoor wood structures. Driven by a culture of innovation and recognized technical expertise, it progressively developed increasingly efficient solutions, thus laying the foundations for what would become the Grad® brand, a benchmark in the world of terraces and outdoor structures.
It was in 1988, in the village of Niedermodern in Alsace, that Grad® was born under the name Architecture du Bois. Founded by Wilfried Andres, the company specialized from its beginnings in the design and creation of outdoor wood structures. Driven by a culture of innovation and recognized technical expertise, it progressively developed increasingly efficient solutions, thus laying the foundations for what would become the Grad® brand, a benchmark in the world of terraces and outdoor structures.
1998
Specialization in wooden terraces
After its first years of activity in outdoor wood structures, the company chose to specialize in the design and creation of wooden terraces. This strategic orientation allowed it to develop recognized expertise in this field and refine its technical know-how. By dedicating itself fully to this area, Architecture du Bois laid the groundwork for its future development and initiated a dynamic of innovation that would contribute to making the brand a benchmark in the terrace market.
After its first years of activity in outdoor wood structures, the company chose to specialize in the design and creation of wooden terraces. This strategic orientation allowed it to develop recognized expertise in this field and refine its technical know-how. By dedicating itself fully to this area, Architecture du Bois laid the groundwork for its future development and initiated a dynamic of innovation that would contribute to making the brand a benchmark in the terrace market.
2006
Creation of the 1st version of the "Architecture du Bois" clip
With the creation of the first version of the "Architecture du Bois" clip, the company laid the foundation for an innovation that would leave a lasting mark on the world of terraces. Designed to simplify the fastening of boards while improving the aesthetics and durability of structures, this pioneering system already demonstrated the company's desire to provide innovative technical solutions for professionals and individuals. This invention is a foundational step in Grad®'s history and paved the way for the technological developments that would make the brand successful.
With the creation of the first version of the "Architecture du Bois" clip, the company laid the foundation for an innovation that would leave a lasting mark on the world of terraces. Designed to simplify the fastening of boards while improving the aesthetics and durability of structures, this pioneering system already demonstrated the company's desire to provide innovative technical solutions for professionals and individuals. This invention is a foundational step in Grad®'s history and paved the way for the technological developments that would make the brand successful.
2008
Awards for the clip and official recognition by FCBA
The innovative nature of the clip fastening system developed by Grad® was quickly recognized by industry professionals and invention juries. After winning the regional gold medal at the Concours Lépine in Strasbourg in 2007, the innovation was awarded the national gold medal at the Concours Lépine in Paris and the gold medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva in 2008. These prestigious distinctions were complemented by official recognition from FCBA, confirming the reliability, performance, and potential of this innovative solution. These awards represent a major step in Grad®'s development and strengthen its reputation as a pioneering company in the world of terraces.
The innovative nature of the clip fastening system developed by Grad® was quickly recognized by industry professionals and invention juries. After winning the regional gold medal at the Concours Lépine in Strasbourg in 2007, the innovation was awarded the national gold medal at the Concours Lépine in Paris and the gold medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva in 2008. These prestigious distinctions were complemented by official recognition from FCBA, confirming the reliability, performance, and potential of this innovative solution. These awards represent a major step in Grad®'s development and strengthen its reputation as a pioneering company in the world of terraces.
2012
Creation of the Grad® brand
The creation of the Grad® brand marked the beginning of an adventure based on innovation and the desire to rethink the construction of outdoor terraces. From its origins, the brand distinguished itself by developing innovative technical solutions aimed at simplifying installation, improving the durability of structures, and ensuring a high level of quality. This pioneering vision forms the bedrock of Grad®'s development and lays the foundation for its success with both professionals and individuals.
The creation of the Grad® brand marked the beginning of an adventure based on innovation and the desire to rethink the construction of outdoor terraces. From its origins, the brand distinguished itself by developing innovative technical solutions aimed at simplifying installation, improving the durability of structures, and ensuring a high level of quality. This pioneering vision forms the bedrock of Grad®'s development and lays the foundation for its success with both professionals and individuals.
2013
New patent for the Top Lift® adjustable pedestal
Innovation remains at the heart of Grad®'s DNA with the granting of a new patent for the Top Lift® adjustable pedestal. This technological advancement rewards several years of research and development aimed at simplifying terrace installation while improving their performance. With this patented system, Grad® confirms its role as a market pioneer and strengthens its commitment to offering increasingly reliable, practical, and innovative solutions to outdoor structure professionals.
Innovation remains at the heart of Grad®'s DNA with the granting of a new patent for the Top Lift® adjustable pedestal. This technological advancement rewards several years of research and development aimed at simplifying terrace installation while improving their performance. With this patented system, Grad® confirms its role as a market pioneer and strengthens its commitment to offering increasingly reliable, practical, and innovative solutions to outdoor structure professionals.
2014
New patent for the removable clip. Introduction of the rail system
The granting of a new patent for the removable clip marks a major advancement in Grad®'s history. This innovation makes it easier to install and remove boards while preserving the aesthetics and durability of the structures. Following this approach, Grad® also introduces its aluminum rail system, a structural solution that revolutionizes terrace design by offering greater stability, modularity, and speed of implementation. These innovations strengthen Grad®'s position as a pioneer in construction systems for outdoor structures.
The granting of a new patent for the removable clip marks a major advancement in Grad®'s history. This innovation makes it easier to install and remove boards while preserving the aesthetics and durability of the structures. Following this approach, Grad® also introduces its aluminum rail system, a structural solution that revolutionizes terrace design by offering greater stability, modularity, and speed of implementation. These innovations strengthen Grad®'s position as a pioneer in construction systems for outdoor structures.
2016
Integration into the Burger&Cie group
In 2016, Grad® joined the Burger & Cie group, a recognized player in the fields of outdoor structures and the wood industry. This integration marks a major step in the brand's history, allowing it to benefit from the solidity and expertise of a leading industrial group. This merger fosters the development of new synergies, supports Grad®'s growth ambitions, and strengthens its capacity to innovate to meet market needs.
In 2016, Grad® joined the Burger & Cie group, a recognized player in the fields of outdoor structures and the wood industry. This integration marks a major step in the brand's history, allowing it to benefit from the solidity and expertise of a leading industrial group. This merger fosters the development of new synergies, supports Grad®'s growth ambitions, and strengthens its capacity to innovate to meet market needs.
2018
Arrival of Top Cube® and finishing accessories
With the arrival of Top Cube® and its range of finishing accessories, Grad® enhances its construction system to offer increasingly complete and aesthetically pleasing solutions. Designed to facilitate the integration of finishes and ensure optimal rendering quality, these new elements provide greater flexibility in project design. This innovation illustrates Grad®'s commitment to meeting market expectations by offering high-performance, functional systems adapted to the demands of contemporary outdoor structures.
With the arrival of Top Cube® and its range of finishing accessories, Grad® enhances its construction system to offer increasingly complete and aesthetically pleasing solutions. Designed to facilitate the integration of finishes and ensure optimal rendering quality, these new elements provide greater flexibility in project design. This innovation illustrates Grad®'s commitment to meeting market expectations by offering high-performance, functional systems adapted to the demands of contemporary outdoor structures.
2019
Grad® expands and integrates the Lièpvre site
In 2019, Grad® took another step in its development by integrating the Lièpvre site. This strategic integration with the Burger & Cie group allows the brand to benefit from a high-performance industrial environment and new production capacities. This establishment strengthens synergies within the group while supporting Grad®'s growth, which continues its expansion in France and internationally. The Lièpvre site thus becomes a true engine of development, supporting innovation, manufacturing quality, and the brand's ambitions for the years to come.
In 2019, Grad® took another step in its development by integrating the Lièpvre site. This strategic integration with the Burger & Cie group allows the brand to benefit from a high-performance industrial environment and new production capacities. This establishment strengthens synergies within the group while supporting Grad®'s growth, which continues its expansion in France and internationally. The Lièpvre site thus becomes a true engine of development, supporting innovation, manufacturing quality, and the brand's ambitions for the years to come.
2021
Opening of the German subsidiary in Offenburg
To support its international development and strengthen its proximity to its European partners, Grad® opens its German subsidiary in Offenburg. This strategic location, situated in the heart of a dynamic market and immediately adjacent to the French border, allows the brand to develop its presence across the Rhine while offering local support to its customers. This new step illustrates Grad®'s commitment to continuing its European growth and consolidating its position as a benchmark player in the world of aluminum structure terraces.
To support its international development and strengthen its proximity to its European partners, Grad® opens its German subsidiary in Offenburg. This strategic location, situated in the heart of a dynamic market and immediately adjacent to the French border, allows the brand to develop its presence across the Rhine while offering local support to its customers. This new step illustrates Grad®'s commitment to continuing its European growth and consolidating its position as a benchmark player in the world of aluminum structure terraces.
2022
Opening of the UK subsidiary and the US subsidiary in Houston, TX (USA)
Continuing its international expansion strategy, Grad® successively opens its subsidiary in the United Kingdom and its American subsidiary in Houston, Texas. These establishments strengthen the brand's presence in two major markets and demonstrate the growing attractiveness of its construction system worldwide. Thanks to these local structures, Grad® gets closer to its partners, improves its commercial and technical support, and pursues its ambition to become an international reference in the field of terraces and outdoor structures on aluminum frames.
Continuing its international expansion strategy, Grad® successively opens its subsidiary in the United Kingdom and its American subsidiary in Houston, Texas. These establishments strengthen the brand's presence in two major markets and demonstrate the growing attractiveness of its construction system worldwide. Thanks to these local structures, Grad® gets closer to its partners, improves its commercial and technical support, and pursues its ambition to become an international reference in the field of terraces and outdoor structures on aluminum frames.
2023
Construction of a new production building on the Lièpvre site
To support the growth of its business and meet constantly increasing demand, Grad® is investing in the construction of a new production building on the Lièpvre site. This expansion increases manufacturing capacity, optimizes production flows, and supports the development of new innovative solutions. This new industrial facility illustrates Grad®'s commitment to performance, quality, and customer satisfaction, while preparing for the brand's future.
To support the growth of its business and meet constantly increasing demand, Grad® is investing in the construction of a new production building on the Lièpvre site. This expansion increases manufacturing capacity, optimizes production flows, and supports the development of new innovative solutions. This new industrial facility illustrates Grad®'s commitment to performance, quality, and customer satisfaction, while preparing for the brand's future.
2024
Launch of cladding
With the launch of its cladding offering, Grad® expands its expertise in outdoor structures and offers a new solution combining aesthetics, durability, and ease of installation. Designed to meet the requirements of both professionals and individuals, this system is in line with the brand's DNA: innovate to facilitate construction while ensuring a high-quality result. This diversification marks a new stage in Grad®'s development and strengthens its position as a global player in building envelopes.
With the launch of its cladding offering, Grad® expands its expertise in outdoor structures and offers a new solution combining aesthetics, durability, and ease of installation. Designed to meet the requirements of both professionals and individuals, this system is in line with the brand's DNA: innovate to facilitate construction while ensuring a high-quality result. This diversification marks a new stage in Grad®'s development and strengthens its position as a global player in building envelopes.
2025
Completion of works and inauguration
In 2025, Grad® takes another step in its development with the completion of works and the inauguration of its new factory on the Lièpvre site. Designed to support the company's long-term growth, this state-of-the-art industrial facility increases production capacity, optimizes manufacturing processes, and supports the development of new innovative solutions. This inauguration symbolizes Grad®'s commitment to industrial performance, quality, and innovation, while preparing for the brand's future ambitions in France and internationally.
In 2025, Grad® takes another step in its development with the completion of works and the inauguration of its new factory on the Lièpvre site. Designed to support the company's long-term growth, this state-of-the-art industrial facility increases production capacity, optimizes manufacturing processes, and supports the development of new innovative solutions. This inauguration symbolizes Grad®'s commitment to industrial performance, quality, and innovation, while preparing for the brand's future ambitions in France and internationally.
New ambitions
Today, the brand is taking a new turn and thinking big. Grad® is therefore investing to achieve its ambitions. Grad® now has no less than 6500 m² of workshop space and 1720 m² of offices to achieve its new objectives.
Linear meters produced per day
17000 m
Parts injected per day
500
Our new building has been the subject of extensive consideration in terms of energy saving and environmental impact. For its construction, we have chosen to prioritize local partners and craftsmen as much as possible for the work. Our heating and energy production system has been designed in the most optimal way.
Our new factory in photos
