Employees await court decision

The 220 employees of Duralex are waiting for the commercial court in Orléans to decide on Wednesday about the future of the financially struggling glassworks. The court may approve a takeover plan that would determine whether the company continues to operate.

Company faces uncertain future

Duralex, known for its unbreakable glasses, has been in uncertainty since its judicial restructuring began on June 1. This marks the fifth time in about twenty years that the company has faced such a process.

New revival plan sought

Less than two years after its acquisition by employees organized in a cooperative, which ended in a major failure, Duralex wants to believe in a new revival plan. Two takeover proposals have been presented to the commercial court, which plans to announce its decision at 2:00 p.m.

Quick decision seen as positive

For CFDT union representative Suliman El Moussaoui, the court's quick decision is "a good thing" and suggests that the company's operations should be able to continue. The court examined two bids from among the three submitted when applications closed.

Bids compared by court

The court extensively examined Monday two bids: one from the Saint-Étienne-based group Carlesimo and one from French entrepreneur Cédric Meston through his holding company Tomé. Meston is known as a co-founder of the startup HappyVore and for acquiring Tupperware France in 2025.

Offers compared on different levels

El Moussaoui said the two offers are comparable on the industrial level, but in terms of financial and social aspects, Meston is the best positioned. He noted that all the actors present at the court were in favor of Tomé's offer.

Job retention in proposals

Carlesimo and Tomé propose to retain respectively 129 and 155 jobs, for a current workforce of about 220 employees. Meston says he is supported by billionaire Xavier Niel, who has invested in Tomé, and would mobilize at least 16 million euros for the acquisition.

Meston downplays favorites

Cédric Meston said after the hearing on Monday that he does not think there are any favorites. He emphasized that the best project for the employees and society is what matters, and it's the court that makes the decision.

Carlesimo defends its offer

The Carlesimo group, whose financial offer is equivalent, defended a project "by long-standing industrialists." François Bonneau, president of the Centre-Val de Loire region, said he is "very attentive to the social dimension" to protect employees.

Government supports preservation

Industry Minister Sébastien Martin said the state has strongly mobilized, alongside local officials, to find buyers to preserve Duralex's operations and jobs. The current general manager, Peggy Sadier, stated that the glassworks have managed to "recover the cash flow."

Cooperative project ends

The decision of the commercial court will mark the end of the cooperative project. The brand had raised 7 million euros from individuals through a fundraising campaign organized at the end of 2025, but this did not ensure its sustainability.

Investigation ongoing

Meanwhile, the company is the subject of an investigation by the Orléans prosecutor's office, which has not specified the charges. "Judicial operations" were conducted on September 3, including "searches" at the glassworks headquarters.

Former manager targeted

The former general manager of the glassworks, François Marciano, and his son Antoine, who was appointed as financial director, could be targeted by the procedure. Their lawyer, Pierre Lalanne, stated that his clients "deny any involvement in potential misconduct."