The company ‘Gratry Lorthiois’ disappeared to become a brand name in 2009. When the new owners Antoine and Damien Willefert bought the company in January, 2009 I left the company several months later.

There are many factors the new company Textiles de France had to face: the economic situation; the disappearance of dyers and yarn suppliers; the lack of experience in the home furnishing world and difficult communication with the unions.

It is sure that what will be missed is the real know-how of workers for traditional jacquard designs for “special” loom set ups. Within the last ten years, more than half of the very fine and old weaving companies have disappeared in France. None was able to adapt their strategies and production to the market evolution.

Patricia Duyck, textiles consultant, France

(Note: As previously reported on fandfi.com, Gratry Lorthiois, founded in 1780, and parent company Textiles Ile de France declared bankruptcy December 1, 2011.)