Orléans court approves Duralex takeover with 155 jobs preserved
Court approves Duralex takeover preserving 155 jobs with €16 million investment and 2029 electrification target.
Event / Economy
Duralex Glassware Receivership
Court validation of Duralex glassware company takeover following judicial receivership, preserving jobs through restructuring and modernization.
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2026-10-12 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Oct, 18:38 UTC
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What happened
Duralex takeover validated by commercial court in Orléans
The Orleans commercial court validated the takeover of Duralex glassware company by entrepreneur Cédric Meston on October 14, 2026. The company had been placed in judicial receivership on June 1, 2026, marking its fifth receivership in approximately two decades. Meston will operate the company through his holding company Tomé, with billionaire Xavier Niel's NJJ Capital also involved as a partner in the takeover.
Silham El Kasmi appointed as new CEO of Duralex
Silham El Kasmi was appointed as the new general director of Duralex following the validated takeover. El Kasmi brings 23 years of experience from senior positions at Saint-Gobain and Saur.
Duralex announces shift to 100% electric kiln by 2029
The Duralex takeover plan includes conversion of the company's gas-powered kiln to 100% electric technology by 2029. This conversion will eliminate most carbon dioxide emissions from the site, where energy consumption currently accounts for approximately 20% of Duralex's operating costs.
Duralex preserves 155 of 220 jobs in takeover plan
The takeover plan for Duralex preserves 155 of approximately 220 jobs at the historic production site in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, representing more than 70% of permanent employment positions. The remaining employees will receive support for job placement assistance from the French government.
Duralex takeover financed with €16 million investment plan
The takeover includes a €16 million financing plan, of which €6 million comes from public support through loans from local authorities and state financing. The investment will fund production restructuring, product repositioning toward new market segments, and decarbonization of the manufacturing facility.
Duralex placed in judicial receivership for fifth time in two decades
Duralex, the French glassware manufacturer known for its unbreakable dinnerware, was placed in judicial receivership on June 1, 2026, marking the fifth such proceeding in approximately twenty years. This occurred less than two years after employees acquired the company through a cooperative structure (SCOP).
Duralex treasury improved eightfold since April 2026 management change
Peggy Sadier, current CEO of Duralex, reported that the company's treasury was multiplied by eight since the management change on April 2, 2026. She asserted this improvement demonstrates a viable path forward for the glassware manufacturer.
Orleans prosecutor investigates Duralex for unspecified offenses
The Orleans prosecutor's office conducted a judicial inquiry into Duralex without disclosing specific charges. Judicial operations including searches were conducted on September 3, 2026, including at the glassware factory headquarters in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin near Orléans.
CFDT union representative indicates Tomé bid favored by court stakeholders
Suliman El Moussaoui, CFDT union representative, stated that while both industrial bids were equivalent on technical grounds, Meston's Tomé offer was superior on financial and social dimensions. He indicated that all parties present at the court hearing favored the Tomé bid, though he acknowledged the court makes the final decision.
Cédric Meston's Tomé holding submits Duralex takeover bid with 155 jobs retained
French entrepreneur Cédric Meston, through his holding company Tomé, submitted a takeover bid for Duralex proposing to retain 155 jobs out of approximately 220 employees. Meston is known as co-founder of HappyVore (vegetable meat substitutes) and for acquiring Tupperware France in 2025. The bid includes at least 16 million euros in funding with support from billionaire Xavier Niel (Free), supplemented by local government loans and state financing.
Former Duralex CEO Marciano and son deny involvement in alleged misconduct
François Marciano, former CEO of Duralex and emblematic figure of the cooperative buyout, along with his son Antoine (appointed CFO by his father), are potentially targets of the prosecutor's investigation. Their attorney Pierre Lalanne stated both men deny any involvement in alleged misconduct.
Orleans commercial court to decide Duralex's future on October 16, 2026
The Orleans commercial court announced on October 12, 2026 that it would render its decision on October 16, 2026 (referred to as Wednesday in articles) regarding Duralex's acquisition by one of two competing bidders. The court examined two takeover bids from Carlesimo and Tomé before setting the decision date.
Carlesimo group submits Duralex takeover bid proposing 129 jobs retained
Carlesimo, a Saint-Etienne-based industrial group, submitted a takeover bid for Duralex proposing to retain 129 jobs out of approximately 220 employees. The group presented itself as experienced long-term industrialists with a competitive financial offer equivalent to other bids.
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2 alternative perspectives
Prosecutor investigates Duralex leadership amid receivership proceedings
Orleans prosecutor investigates Duralex leadership; former CEO and son deny allegations.
Court to decide between two competing Duralex takeover bids
Court decides October 16 between competing Duralex takeover bids differing on job preservation levels.