ANIMATE FACTORY
CRAFTSMANSHIP AT THE SERVICE
OF WONDER
For over 30 years, we have been designing and handcrafting in France exclusive animatronics, decorations, and animated mannequins, combining technical precision with creativity. Our creations, whether from our catalogue or custom-made, bring to life unique, narrative, and poetic staging for shop windows, events, and commercial spaces.
A French leader with international recognition for the reliability and realism of our movements, we offer distinctive worlds: domestic, wild, or exotic animals, fantastical characters, Christmas enchantment, and both magical and naturalistic universes. Our multidisciplinary team fully masters 100% of the manufacturing process—from initial design to final staging—and supports you from concept through to installation. Whether capturing the magic of a Christmas window display, designing event scenography, or drawing the attention of passersby, we create immersive worlds that transform emotion into lasting memories—and your visitors into customers.
In 2018, the Michel Taillis workshop was revamped and became Animate Factory to infuse a touch of modernity and a more dynamic dimension to our company. We now achieve over 50% of our sales internationally and continue to enchant the windows and events of France and Europe with a wide range of automata themed around winter and Christmas and timeless collections featuring an ever-diversifying array of decorations and animated mannequins.
We convey our passion for French craftsmanship within a human-scale artisanal and family structure.Our team is dedicated to a common mission: to bring joy and wonder.100% of the manufacturing process of our animatronics is done by hand in France. We have a total of 14 different trades within our design and modeling office and our two manufacturing departments. There is a warm atmosphere where the well-being, synergy, and versatility of our teams thrive and where the transmission of know-how between the older and younger generations takes place in joy and good humor. Creators, decorators, seamstresses, mechanics, electricians, electronics technicians, carpenters, painters, logisticians, and the administrative and sales team work together with the sole objective of offering you exceptional, realistic, and original works that will allow you to enhance your image and create visual attraction
WHO ARE WE?
Animate Factory is a universe dedicated to dream and magic where the union of craftsmanship and animated visual marketing gives birth to high-end animated figures and decorations that will leave a memorable and spectacular emotional imprint on your clientele. Located in the Normandy region in the town of Tôtes, our workshop was founded by Michel Taillis. Trained in industrial design and Fine Arts courses, our founder forged his way into the world of visual creation as a decorator for the Galeries Lafayette group, one of the largest pioneers in the creation of thematic Christmas displays. He crafted fabulous animated scenes for 20 years before launching as an independent manufacturer. Since its beginnings in 1992, our company has specialized in the design of plush animatronics, reviewing all types of animals. A fabulous menagerie representing all types of animals: domestic animals, wild or exotic animals, farm animals, or even forest animals.. We create several registered models that have become the emblems of our brand: our bears Léo, Léon, Léonard, and Léonardo. In the 2000s, we launched ourselves internationally, exporting our expertise to more than 50 countries and across all continents. Several prestigious orders will allow us to showcase our creations and establish our reputation in iconic places such as the windows of the Main Street U.S.A.® shops at Disneyland® Paris with an exclusive series of 150 automatons.
OUR WORKSHOP
HANDMADE IN FRANCE
IN OUR NORMAN WORKSHOPS
Founded nearly 30 years ago by Michel Taillis, the company has a unique know-how that shines in France and around the world. Animate Factory is now the French leader in animated marketing.
The company is located in Tôtes, in the heart of Normandy between Rouen and Dieppe, and offers several hundred automata for sale and rental, to animate and decorate, all year round, shop windows, booths, and all types of locations (shopping centers, stores, garden centers, town halls and administrations, hotels and restaurants, museums and amusement parks, event venues…).
Mechanics, electricians, carpenters, seamstresses, designers…Our team of professionals passionate about their craft, is fully invested in the design and manufacturing of high-quality animated products.
OUR TEAM
ATELIER MÉCANIQUE & COUTURE
HADRIEN
Carpenter Electrician
MARIE-LAURE
Workshop - Stuffing
VIRGINIE
Workshop - Sewing
SANDY
Workshop - Sewing
MATHIEU
Animatronic Mechanic
SÉBASTIEN
Automation Engineer Workshop and Development Manager
MORGAN
Electrician Logistics Manager
MORGANE
Electrician
SERVICE INGÉNIEURIE - MARKÉTING - COMMERCIAL
LUCILE
Commercial
Manager
CLÉMENT
Engineer
NICOLAS
CEO
HELOISE
Commercial Export
LOUIS
Commercial
PAUL
Intern Commercial
MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, CLEANING
Animatronics are complex products that require great care both for their operation and for their storage. For optimal long-term use, mechanical revisions are recommended. The theoretical regularity of revisions is proportional to the duration of use of the automaton. Each year, our technicians perform mechanical revisions for both our rental animatronics and for clients who have purchased our products.
To optimize the investment in this animated marketing tool, it is sometimes wise to slightly change the appearance of the automatons: costumes, plush, accessories…
We can assist you in making these changes.
A thorough cleaning or replacement of plush can be done by us if needed. The Michel Taillis Workshop is committed to supporting its clients in the maintenance of the automata. Technical issues, maintenance, or projects, our after-sales service teams are at your disposal. Do not hesitate to send us photographs and videos for better processing of your request.
To contact us:
+33 (0) 2 35 32 69 54
info@animatefactory.com
QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
The realism and beauty of our automata bring joy to adults and children in all the places where they are installed. They attract the curiosity of your customers and passersby and help increase your revenue. Throughout the year, you can harness the power of animated marketing to support the growth of your business.
More than 10 years! Our automata are handmade in our workshops in Normandy. We work with quality materials and reliable technologies (electric motor, crank-slider system). Our artisans take great care to ensure that the automata last as long as possible.
It's rare, but it can happen. If your animatronic figure malfunctions, you can return it to us in its original crate or transport box. In some cases, transportation costs will be covered by us. The animatronic figure will be completely disassembled, inspected, and restored before being returned to you. A replacement animatronic figure can be sent if needed. For any inquiries, contact our customer support at +33 2 35 32 69 54.
It is true that our automata are in high demand during the Christmas holiday season. But it is also possible to animate your windows during other times, to celebrate the arrival of spring or summer for example, to celebrate Easter with a rabbit or Halloween with a witch... Check ourcatalogto discover the richness of our creations.
Yes!All our machines plug into a standard electrical outlet equipped with a ground plug. They are designed to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their consumption is very low and does not require any special equipment. You can also connect them to a timer if you wish.
For a medium-sized automaton (Léo and Léon bears), an average use of 12 hours of decoration will consume about 120 watts, which is about 2 to 2.5 cents for 12 hours, the same consumption as a 10-watt LED bulb.
Absolutely. We export our automata worldwide and adapt our mechanisms and electrical connections according to the standards and regulations in force in your country (voltage, electrical outlet).
Founded nearly 30 years ago by Michel Taillis, our company has a unique know-how that shines in France and across the 5 continents. Of high quality, the faux fur is imported from Korea. The assembly of the metal structure, the adjustment of the automation, the making of the plush cover, the stuffing, the packaging in transport boxes... Everything is done in our workshop located in Tôtes, in the heart of Normandy between Rouen and Dieppe.
Yes, absolutely.
The creation of custom automatons is part of our core business. Whether you have a specific idea, an existing character to reproduce, or simply a universe to imagine, our team can design and manufacture a unique automaton tailored to your project. Dimensions, costumes, sets, movements, expressions, accessories, scenography… each creation is made to measure in our workshops in France. We support both professionals (showcases, events, parks, museums, shopping centers) and individuals wishing to create an exceptional piece.
Feel free to contact us at +33 2 35 32 69 54 to discuss your project and obtain a personalized study
Michel Taillis automata are designed for indoor use. However, they can operate outdoors as long as they are well protected from moisture (rain & snow). We also offer for sale automata protected by« soft and transparent plastic bells »; they can thus be installed outdoors and operate in all weather on a public square, in a pedestrian street, at the entrance of a Christmas market...
Yes!All our machines plug into a standard electrical outlet equipped with a ground plug. They are designed to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their consumption is very low and does not require any special equipment. You can also connect them to a timer if you wish.
You can visit us at the trade shows we regularly attend: Maison & Objet Paris-Villepinte/France (January & September sessions), ChristmasWorld Frankfurt/Germany (January), Euroshop Düsseldorf/Germany (February). We would also be happy to welcome you at Tôtes to show you our workshop and present different models. (By appointment at 0235326954)
You can choose your products and pay for your order directly through our site by creating your customer account.
You can also contact Nicolas or Lucile:
+33 2 35 32 69 54 / info@animatefactory.com
To get advice on choosing your automaton and to be guided through all the steps of your purchase.
Yes. We offer several hundred automatons for rent.(Our rental offer is reserved for customers located in metropolitan France & Belgium. Leave us your contact details and we will get in touch with you when this offer becomes available to our customers.), for a minimum period of 6 weeks during the holiday season and for shorter periods the rest of the year. Each automaton is delivered and returned in a wooden crate. Renting is a solution suitable for all budgets to surprise your customers with our original creations.
It's rare, but it can happen. If your animatronic figure malfunctions, you can return it to us in its original crate or transport box. In some cases, transportation costs will be covered by us. The animatronic figure will be completely disassembled, inspected, and restored before being returned to you. A replacement animatronic figure can be sent if needed. For any inquiries, contact our customer support at +33 2 35 32 69 54.
If the automaton you want is available in our stock (this is specified on the site), delivery generally takes about a week depending on your country of residence. If we need to manufacture it to order, you should allow an additional one to six weeks.
In any case, we always confirm the manufacturing times.
Yes! All our automata plug into a simple electrical outlet equipped with a ground pin. They are designed to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their consumption is very low and does not require any special equipment. You can also connect them to a timer if you wish.
Yes, we use the online payment solution from Crédit Agricole, fully secure. You can pay by credit card (CB, VISA, MasterCard, American Express…) or via your PayPal account.
Our machines are delivered in custom transport cases for rentals, and in boxes for purchases. In both cases, our products are well secured and protected, and we use professional delivery companies. They must arrive in perfect condition at their destination. However, if you notice a problem upon opening the package, please contact our customer service.+33 2 35 32 69 54 – info@animatefactory.com).
ANIMATE FACTORY IN A FEW NUMBERS
5. 14 TRADES
6. HANDCRAFTED MANUFACTURING
7. FRENCH LEADER IN ANIMATED MARKETING
8. THOUSANDS OF DISPLAY CASES MADE
1. OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
2. 100% FRENCH MANUFACTURING
3. MORE THAN 400 REFERENCES
4. PRESENT IN MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES