Poncini Group - Port Louis

The history of PONCIN I is closely linked to its historical building which hosts the head office in Port Louis, a unique basaltic and wooden structure which is an architectural reference of the Mauritian capital city. This house is one of the oldest of Port Louis and dates back to 1750. This building hosted an arms room before being transformed into a hotel.
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At the time of the French colony, Guillemin & Co opened a shop specialized in Swiss watches, jewellery optics and luxury gifts. Along time Guillemin & Co became the most reputed shop on the island. In 1925 the company recruited Alfred Poncini a Swiss watchmaker who arrived at the age of 23 and was in charge of the watch department.
P O N C I N I played an active role in industrial development of the Mauritian economy  

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and was the pioneer in setting up non sugar agricultural enterprises. In 1966 the first export oriented enterprise (drilling of rubies for the watch industry) was launched. This unit became a model for the future free zone activity. In 1970 the first diamond cutting factory started its operations. Ever since P O N C I N I concentrated its efforts on technology acquisition and expertise in technologies like metallurgy and stone setting.