Abstract
Company Thuasne was created in 1847 in the field of narrow elastic fabrics. In the 50's, the company refocused its technology and positioned on the high value, added medical textile products, with the concept of 'products of elastic contention'. In this field, the group produces the following product ranges: lumbar belts, elastic contention bands, medical bands, orthesis (ankle protection and medical knee pads); medical stockings and pantyhoses, and products of home maintenance. Then, in the year 2000, the group evolved to the new concept of 'movement therapeutic' by widening its offer to the medical and sporting universe, and pursued its strategy of industrial integration, focused on this concept. In 2000, the company took over a Dutch group specialized in home maintenance products. Thanks to this focus, the company development accelerated and the Thuasne group is now the European leader in the medical and sporting textile markets. Between 1991 and 2001, the sales turnover was multiplied by three and in 2002/2003, the sales exceeded 100 million euros with a manpower of approximately 800 people. One employee out of two is still employed on the group's 'historical' sites, next to Saint-Etienne. Thuasne pursues 3 goals: to care for, to protect, and to develop, while following two axes: 1.Innovation and optimization of the products quality 2. Exploration and penetration of the global market.
