Marguerite Payen (1845–1915) took over after Louis died and turned out to be far more than a beneficiary of her husband’s estate. The company was besieged by German clones and American key-driven giants when she stepped in but she proved to be a formidable business strategist.
She maintained the original brand’s prestige while aggressively defending her patents in court and overseeing the final transition to industrial standards. She understood the value of the brand, and protected it for almost as long as she lived. Her leadership ensured that the French workshop did not vanish into obscurity.