Duralex, known worldwide for its reputedly unbreakable tableware, almost disappeared after yet another receivership in April, plunging the 226 employees into uncertainty about their future. This uncertainty was finally lifted on July 26, when the Orléans (Loiret) commercial court validated the employees’ Scop project, supported by 60% of the staff, led by the site management and supported by local elected officials.
“We are very happy to be able to start, it is a reward to be able to officially launch the SCOP after several weeks of struggle. We are starting from a blank page, but we are full of energy and ready to go,” enthuses the company’s general manager, François Marciano, during a grand opening day of the factory this Monday.
Boom in online orders
The stated objective is to “sell” quickly and reach 40 million euros in turnover in 2029. However, the task looks immense in a highly competitive sector: in 2023, its turnover, 80% dependent on international orders, fell to 24.6 million euros, compared to more than 31 million in 2022. This will involve, in particular, optimizing production costs, while the company has been heavily affected by the surge in energy prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Everything remains to be done,” acknowledges Vincent Vallin, the strategy director. “But there is a unique craze for Duralex: since the end of July, online orders have quadrupled.”
