Duralex, an iconic brand of French tableware, is experiencing a renaissance driven by its own employees. The cooperative formed within the company embodies a promising renewal for this historic business. Let’s see how this collective dynamic is revitalizing Duralex.
A Scop to Save Duralex
The commercial court of Orléans recently ruled in favor of the takeover project of Duralex by a cooperative company (Scop), bringing together a majority of the employees and the management of the site. This project is crucial, allowing the preservation of 228 jobs and revitalizing this iconic made in France company.
The Support of Employees and Local Officials
About 60% of the 228 employees have joined the Scop project, each contributing 500 euros to enter the capital. Local officials have also provided their support, which has significantly influenced the decision. The region will double the amounts invested by the employees and mobilize a guarantee fund of 3 million euros to secure the new enterprise.
Solid Financial Support
The banks have also stepped up. A consortium including Crédit Agricole and Caisse d’Épargne has lent 4 million euros to the Scop. These funds will allow for the purchase of the company for 400,000 euros and to settle the pledged stocks, estimated at 3.5 million euros.
Revising the Commercial Policy
The Scop plans to thoroughly review Duralex’s commercial policies. Abandoned for years, this policy will be relaunched with the expertise of Vincent Vallin, a marketing specialist with a career at Brandt.
The Role of Local Authorities
The Orléans metropolitan area is also supporting this initiative. Through a vote in June, it committed to purchasing the 14-hectare site and its buildings, injecting between 5 and 8 million euros into the company.
Challenges and Hopes for the Future
While the CFDT, the majority union, views this project positively, the CGT remains more skeptical, preferring a traditional industrial takeover. Nevertheless, a majority of employees support the cooperative project, seeing in this Scop a unique opportunity to relaunch Duralex.
The Next Steps
- Finalization of the purchase of the infrastructure by the metropolitan area
- Redesign of the commercial policy
- Monitoring of financial commitments by stakeholders
For Duralex employees, this new adventure is full of hopes and challenges. Together, they aim to reinvent the future of their glassworks while maintaining the values of cooperation and solidarity.
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