Historical events

Constant adaptation to markets, to methods, to changes in consumption habits…

1909

Lucien Demeyère founded the company.

After fighting in the war of 1914-18, and then working on the reconstruction of bombed houses, he started to specialise in joinery working on the first wireless radio sets, clocks and sewing machines.

This last speciality rapidly became the exclusive one and led the company to becoming leaders in France in this market.

1956

Pierre Demeyère followed in his father’s footsteps and branched out into the veneering of hardwoods onto chipboard. The company created “PLACONOR”.

1960

The company started to manufacture small pieces of furniture, first assembled and then later packed unassembled: it was the birth of the flat pack kit.

The company was also boosted by the gradual replacement of veneering by printed finishes.

1968

After a serious fire at the company headquarters, automated material was installed, enabling large scale production of simple, functional furniture, at low prices.

1981

Bernard Demeyère took over his father’s role and created “Demeyère Furniture PLC”.

1983/84[1]

The company continued to pursue its policy of constant industrial investment of several million euros and considerably developed its exports.

Turnover would double in 4 years from 10 to 21 M€.

1985

Majority equity investment of 83.46% in the CAL-SCAN company in Singapore, ensuring an opening into Southeast Asia.

1987

Creation of the IDS Company (Importation Distribution Service) that was to use CAL-SCAN’s services for part of its supply.

1897/89

Equipment renewal and update project, investment of 1,500 K€

Once again the company doubled its turnover in 5 years, from 21 to 39 M€ in 1990.

1990

Construction of a new production unit in Lompret for the manufacture of small decorative paperboard or melamine furniture. Equipment investment of 3,000 K€ and real estate investment of 1,500 K€.

Turnover increased from 39 to 57 M€ in 1992.

1993

Creation of a new manufacturing line and two drilling lines, for an investment of 4,500 K€, bringing production capacity up to 76 M€.

1995

Inauguration of a new storage depot at Deûlémont (24,000 m2 of surface storage area, 26 loading docks) located 10 km from the production sites in order to improve dispatch and customer service conditions.

1997

Investment project to renew and change the décor application system. 11,000 K€ for the construction of a building of 10,000m2 housing 2 décor application assembly lines.

Installation of these new décor application assembly lines and setup of a new assembly line bringing the company’s manufacturing capacity to 100 M€ in turnover.

1999

New offices housing the archive and training rooms in the basement, the reception and two showrooms on the ground floor, and two more floors comprising the purchasing department, France and export sales teams, marketing, research and development, accounting, finance and board of directors.

1999

Creation of the IDEVOLUM brand, offering new storage solutions (dressing rooms, modular furniture…) specifically designed to fulfil the needs of the DIY store sector.

2000

Installation of the 6th assembly line.

90% equity investment in the ED furniture company in Tournai in Belgium, furniture retail store, with a sales floor of over 1,500m2.

2001

Installation of the 7th assembly line

Merger between the IDS (Importation Distribution Service) company and Demeyère furniture.

2002

Installation of 2 new cutting and edging machines

Construction of a storage building of 6,000m2 on the Lompret site.

2003

Creation of the SANEA brand; evolutive, economical and attractive bathroom furniture. The aim was to bring a quality solution to the budget end of the market.

Opening of a second retail furniture store in Froyennes in Belgium with a sales floor of 800m2.

2004

Investment of over 9 M€ in the Lompret site, doubling the manufacturing capacity on this site.

2006

Rental of a supply chain building, 21,000m2 at Houplines.

Installation of 2 hardware parts packaging assembly lines.

The company reaches the 130 M€ turnover mark.

2007

Takeover of Nersac flat pack furniture production site (16), 85 staff.