Groupe SEB

Groupe SEB (Société d'Emboutissage de Bourgogne) is a large French consortium that produces small appliances. Notable brand names associated with Groupe SEB include All-Clad, Krups, Moulinex, Rowenta, and Tefal. According to the Groupe SEB website, they have faced considerable competition from low-price Chinese competitors, but have managed to maintain a constant sales level. A large proportion of their product lines are now manufactured in China. Its Headquarters are based in Ecully, a Lyon suburb.

Company history

The precursor to the Groupe SEB consortium was originally formed by Antoine Lescure in 1857.

Recent performance

For the first half of 2008, Groupe SEB reported an increase in profit from 52 million Euros in 2007 to 94 million Euros. Groupe SEB now has a 51.36% interest in the Chinese cookware company Supor. For the second half of the year, Groupe SEB does not predict major changes in outlook.

In 2004, Groupe SEB acquired the high-end American cookware company All-Clad. Weakness in the European markets is expected to be balanced out by further growth in North America and Asia.