Tisseray Breathes New Life Into Cotonniere d'Alsace
February 12, 2003
Lyonnais, France — Tisseray & Cie, an upholstery weaver, expects that its development of products for new markets and its registration of a well-known brand will boost its sales from 28 million euros in 2002 to 30.5 million euros in 2003.
The projected increase comes in spite of a slowdown in France's neighboring German market, and a sluggish European economy that doesn't appear to be quickly rebounding. Forty percent of Tisseray's sales come from the E.U., with a significant amount from Germany, the company said.
Meanwhile, Tisseray's sales have doubled in the past six years, according to Patrick Malgorn, the general director. Tisseray has continually increased its offerings to supply new markets, he said.
Tisseray has developed a line of contract fabrics with diverse specialized characteristics including anti-bacterial finish, burn, flame and spot resistant finishes and breathability. These different products today represent 30 percent of Tisseray's sales for cushions and pillows.
The company's acquisition of collections from La Cotonniere d'Alsace (a French manufacturer that was in business nearly 80 years before declaring bankruptcy and closed its doors a year ago) is another move in that direction. During the protracted legal process that settled Cotonniere d'Alsace's bankruptcy terms, Tisseray submitted successful bids for the brands 'La Cotonniere d'Alsace' and 'Paule Marrot Editions.' After having shown those lines in their own booth at Heimtextil this year, Tisseray is in the process of negotiating with specialized distributors of bedding for the Paule Marrot brand, Malgorn said. The company hopes the reputed brand opens the door for stronger export sales, too. Paul Marrot Editions, a range of combed cotton percale bedlinen products, has been strong in France for years. In 2000, Cotonniere d'Alsace launched a line Paul Marrot Editions, sized and styled for the U.S. market.
Tisseray bases its manufacturing in Pelussin in the Loire valley and employs 50 people. The factory holds 115 looms that produce 90 percent of its output of 16 million meters of fabrics, including five million meters of prints. The remaining 10 percent consists of European imports produced outside of France.
Dyeing and finishing takes place in the Rhone-Alpes or in the Vosges.
Sixty-five percent of the total fabric production is devoted to cushions, including those for Abeil & Dodo. The remainder is sold to manufacturers of bedding, bath, linens and outdoor furniture and camping equipment producers.
Tisseray adds about 100 new designs a year to its collection. "We are constantly producing new print designs, as well as developing custom products for specific client needs," said commercial director Christophe Lozerand. The company said its range contains about 2,000 patterns. F&FI
The projected increase comes in spite of a slowdown in France's neighboring German market, and a sluggish European economy that doesn't appear to be quickly rebounding. Forty percent of Tisseray's sales come from the E.U., with a significant amount from Germany, the company said.
Meanwhile, Tisseray's sales have doubled in the past six years, according to Patrick Malgorn, the general director. Tisseray has continually increased its offerings to supply new markets, he said.
Tisseray has developed a line of contract fabrics with diverse specialized characteristics including anti-bacterial finish, burn, flame and spot resistant finishes and breathability. These different products today represent 30 percent of Tisseray's sales for cushions and pillows.
The company's acquisition of collections from La Cotonniere d'Alsace (a French manufacturer that was in business nearly 80 years before declaring bankruptcy and closed its doors a year ago) is another move in that direction. During the protracted legal process that settled Cotonniere d'Alsace's bankruptcy terms, Tisseray submitted successful bids for the brands 'La Cotonniere d'Alsace' and 'Paule Marrot Editions.' After having shown those lines in their own booth at Heimtextil this year, Tisseray is in the process of negotiating with specialized distributors of bedding for the Paule Marrot brand, Malgorn said. The company hopes the reputed brand opens the door for stronger export sales, too. Paul Marrot Editions, a range of combed cotton percale bedlinen products, has been strong in France for years. In 2000, Cotonniere d'Alsace launched a line Paul Marrot Editions, sized and styled for the U.S. market.
Tisseray bases its manufacturing in Pelussin in the Loire valley and employs 50 people. The factory holds 115 looms that produce 90 percent of its output of 16 million meters of fabrics, including five million meters of prints. The remaining 10 percent consists of European imports produced outside of France.
Dyeing and finishing takes place in the Rhone-Alpes or in the Vosges.
Sixty-five percent of the total fabric production is devoted to cushions, including those for Abeil & Dodo. The remainder is sold to manufacturers of bedding, bath, linens and outdoor furniture and camping equipment producers.
Tisseray adds about 100 new designs a year to its collection. "We are constantly producing new print designs, as well as developing custom products for specific client needs," said commercial director Christophe Lozerand. The company said its range contains about 2,000 patterns. F&FI
