Duralex
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Glass manufacturing |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin , France |
| Products | Tempered glass tableware and kitchenware (e.g. Picardie tumbler, Gigogne glass) |
| Owner | La Maison française du verre (formerly International Cookware Group) |
Number of employees | 250 (temporarily reduced working hours as of November 2022) |
| Website | www |
Duralex is a French manufacturer specializing in tempered glass tableware and kitchenware, headquartered in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, France. The firm employs a glass tempering process developed in the 1930s by Saint-Gobain, which involves heating molded glass to 600°C followed by rapid cooling. This method enhances the glass’s impact resistance, making it twice as durable as conventional glass.
Among its well-known offerings are the Picardie tumbler and the Gigogne glass. Notably, the "Gigogne" model is part of the permanent collection at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
The brand’s name is inspired by the Latin phrase dura lex, sed lex, meaning "the law is harsh, but it is the law."
Acquisition
In January 2021, International Cookware Group, which owns the competing PYREX brand outside the United States, acquired Duralex for €3.5 million ($4.2 million). The new owner pledged to maintain most of the workforce, invest tens of millions of euros to upgrade the outdated Orléans manufacturing facility, and exploit commercial synergies with Pyrex in areas such as sales and procurement.
Although Duralex’s production infrastructure was aging, its expertise in producing high-strength tempered glass remained attractive. Nonetheless, the company’s market visibility is largely confined to its classic Gigogne and Picardie designs. Efforts are underway to refresh the brand’s image beyond these traditional products.
In 2022, International Cookware Group rebranded itself as La Maison française du verre.
Energy crisis
Due to escalating energy costs in November 2022, Duralex suspended operations and placed its furnaces on standby. This resulted in 250 employees being temporarily shifted to reduced working hours.
Financial difficulties and cooperative transformation
After a five-month pause, production resumed on April 17, 2023, supported by €15 million in government assistance. By April 2024, Duralex entered receivership for the fourth time within two decades and began a six-month observation phase aimed at securing a buyer. In July of that year, the Commercial Court of Orléans approved a plan supported by 60% of staff to restructure the company into a cooperative entity, ensuring all jobs were retained.
Awards
The publication This Old House recognized Duralex’s OvenChef glass bakeware as one of the top new home products in 2014, emphasizing its ability to withstand sudden temperature fluctuations without breaking.