Guy Cotten
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor clothing, Protective wear |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Guy Cotten |
| Headquarters | Concarneau , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Nadine Bertholom (CEO) |
| Products | Outdoor clothing, oilskin apparel, survival suits |
Number of employees | 10 (initially) |
Guy Cotten is a French producer of outdoor clothing, established in 1964 by Guy Cotten (1936–2013), famous for its signature yellow oilskin apparel.
The enterprise focuses on manufacturing garments and personal gear tailored for the fishing sector, maritime occupations, outdoor pursuits, and protective wear.
Company history
Originating from Saint-Yvi, Finistère, Guy Cotten started his professional journey selling overalls before founding his own workshop in 1964 at the Concarneau harbor. His aim was to create lighter and more resilient oilskins by utilizing nylon fabrics instead of the conventional coated cotton. In 1966, he launched the Rosbras, a jacket constructed from PVC-coated polyester fabric with double velcro and a zipper closure, featuring seams sealed through high-frequency welding to guarantee waterproofing. Beginning with a workforce of ten employees, rising demand prompted the establishment of an additional workshop in Trégunc.
The brand’s well-known yellow man emblem was designed in 1974 by Alain Le Quernec, and the motto L'abri du marin (the sailor's shelter) was introduced in 1981.
In 1988, Guy Cotten purchased Piel, a survival equipment specialist formerly owned by Pirelli. Following four years of development, they released the TPS (Thermal Protective Survival), a lightweight insulating survival suit credited with saving lives during the 1996 Vendée Globe Race.
Currently operating as a multinational corporation with subsidiaries across the United Kingdom, Spain, and North America, Guy Cotten dominates the market for sea-related professions and outdoor enthusiasts. The brand is available through 5,000 retail points globally, including 2,000 locations beyond France; however, sales of the Rosbras jacket now represent only 10% of total revenue.
In 2003, Nadine Bertholom, daughter of the founder, took over company management.
At the 2006 Salon nautique de Paris, Guy Cotten unveiled its innovative Magic hood, engineered to move in sync with head motions.
The company supports competitive sailors such as Gilles Gahinet, Florence Arthaud, and Jean Le Cam, and collaborates with the French National Team.