Bernard Maillot was born in the world of music. A painting from the 19th century represents a member of Maillot’s family playing the guitar. His grandfather, who was born during the second part of the 19th century, is also represented playing harpsichord on another painting made by a very famous painter in Lyon; he was a pianist and a conductor. As music is a family story, Maillot’s father played instruments as well: violin and classical guitar.

Maillot was born in difficult conditions during the second war in 1943 in Lyon, France. Maillot was introduced to music (piano then guitar) at an early age, and regularly attended opera, symphonic concerts, chamber music and recitals. Thanks to his father, he met and developed wonderful relationships early on with artists such as Andres Segovia, Alexandre Lagoya, Narcisso Yepes, the young Alirio Diaz, Charlie Byrd and more. He married Genevieve, and had two children, Cyril and Emmanuelle, who later entered the company.

Maillot’s education and work experience reflects his strengths in many areas, which has made him successful in business. After scientific studies, he entered in an engineering school with a focus in electronics and informatics. He had experiences in the production department in companies located in France, Italy and Germany. Maillot felt the need for more university experience and decided to postpone joining the business world. Instead he went to a school in Fontainebleau, and graduated with an MBA in Business Administration and Finance. After that, to discover a new world, he joined a business bank in Paris for four years.

Following these experiences, Maillot made the decision to come back in the music world, and invested himself in the development of Savarez. Maillot is currently president of the SAVAREZ Company, leading manufacturers of music strings, accessories, bowed instruments and bridges.

Beside his activities at the head of Savarez, he was the President of the French Association of Musical Instrument Manufacturers - Chambre Syndicale de la Facture Instrumentale (C.S.F.I.) - from 1978 to 1997; and the President of the C.A.F.I.M., the European Association of Musical Instrument Makers and Distributors.

Maillot’s professional life is now a great balance between management, research, musicians’ relations and attending an unlimited number of concerts!