The DURIEU Group, the story of a family to be followed during 4 generations...
Durieu is a family name, before being the name of a Group ; and indeed the story of this Group is one of a family company...
In 1923, Georges Durieu great grandfather of current CEO Thibault Durieu, started importing and exporting non metallic car body parts including brake linings.
In 1933, his son Paul-Henri, chemist, started changing the direction of the company by developing and launching the first lubricant on the French market. That product was to help the dismantling of automobile body parts and at the same time reinforce the core business. Between the 2 World wars, Durieu became a specialist of maintenance products, especially with Transyl and Compensyl, whilst moving forward in the automotive field.
In 1956, The Flood Co, from the US, was looking for distributors for their rust inhibitor. Durieu started importing the product from the US and refilling in its own cans; and so Rustol was born.
In 1963, with volumes increasing, The Flood Co. decided to grant a manufacturing Licence for Europe. With General De Gaulle having decided to quit NATO, the licence was granted to the Norwegian Cco. Olsen & Wang.
During the 1960's, Owatrol was born, and all European distributors were purchasing from Norway. Durieu however, had agreed that when volumes reached a certain level manufacturing would be allowed in France.
Early in 1970, that volume was reached, and production of Rustol was launched at a specially designed plant in in France in Bondoufle, near Paris France. Soon after Southern Europe was purchasing from Durieu's new plant in Bondoufle.
In 2004, The Flood Co offerss to Durieu, the opportunity take over the supplying of Owatrol products toto absorb Northern Europe due to its modern manufacturing premises. At the same time a European distribution company is established in Barcelona - Owatrol International.
In 2006, Durieu became a shareholder in Owatrol International.
In 2008, the Durieu Group bought out Belgian brands Linitop & De Keyn and acquired the remaining shares in Owatrol International. Durieu now owns and controls all three brands, which have been developed, and promoted over the past 50 years.
In 2012, the Group is strengthened by a new production plant in the North of France, holder of all the certifications of the profession: ISO 9001 (Quality), OHSAS 18001 (Safety), Ecolabel, NF Environment and ISO 14001 (Environment). Brands: Oxytol, Targol, Oxi, Elixiss ... of the company Peintures & Chimie complement the other brands of the group.
And the story goes on...
