Lacemaker Desseilles acquired by Chinese group

Chinese group Yongsheng will acquire the business of French lacemaker Desseilles, a jewel in the Calais lacemaking industry's crown, after a ruling on Thursday by the Boulogne-sur-mer trade court. The news was given by the management on Friday.

Among the three acquisition tenders put forward, the court favoured the best one in terms of job protection, since Yongsheng pledged to keep 60 of the company's 74 jobs.

The group notably undertook to maintain the jobs that were kept for a minimum of three years, and to leave the business in Calais for at least five years.

"When the word 'Chinese' crops up in an acquisition, there is always a knee-jerk response, while the essential criterion in this project is to maintain and develop the French manufacturing site," stated to the AFP agency Michel Berrier, Desseilles' Marketing and Commercial Director.

He said that the industrial plan is "highly ambitious" and that the new group is willing to use "French-style lacemaking expertise" to the best advantage to expand into apparel in China.

According to Mr Berrier, Yongsheng is planning "adequate" investment, up to €4 million in the coming years. As proof of its "serious intentions", the Chinese group is set to buy the workshop, which is currently leased by Desseilles, Mr Berrier said.

"If everything goes according to plan, Desseilles will start to hire again within 3 years, to satisfy new purchase orders," he added.

Desseilles is among the leaders in the Calais lacemaking industry, with a lingerie production going from "mid-range to super luxury".

The lacemaker currently exports 70% of its output, chiefly in Asia.