In 1966, that manufacturer sold his business to Charles's son, René, who was at the time the Sales Manager within his father's company.
In January 1969, Charles sold his business to his son, who kept both lines of business to create the René Martin company.
In 1971, the company moved into a 1400m2 facility.
In 1972, a warehouse was opened in Mons (Belgium).
From 1972 to 1980, the company pursued a strategy of diversification that would turn out negative.
In July 1980, René Martin passed away and his wife Andrée took over. She would be confronted with numerous issues as the diversification strategy took a heavy toll on finances. |
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From 1980 to 1985, the company barely managed to grow its revenue.
In 1986, Mrs Martin was replaced by her son-in-law who acquired the company and would single-handedly increase its capital, reaching 250 000 €.
As a result, the company entered a new era and would become the number one manufacturer on the French market within two years.
Revenue increased by 55% over those two years, and would reach over 4 million € by 1988, with 74 employees. The company quickly outgrew its facilities, and it doubled their size in 1990, reaching 2800 m2.
In 1992, revenue was over 5,7 million €, with a staff of 73.
In 1995, in order to be more competitive, the company began importing from Taiwan and China.
Within the same year, a subsidiary was launched in Barcelona, Spain.
In 1999 the facilities were further extended by 1400m² thus covering a total of 6700m². The same year a subsidiary was opened in Barcelona, Spain.
In 2004, revenue reached 13 million €, with a staff of 77 and a 10000 m2 facility.
In 2006, Ludovic Deswarte, the CEO to this day, acquired 100% of the company.
Martin Sellier opened an office in Shanghai, to increase its control over the flow of goods.
In 2007, Martin Sellier carried on with its export strategy with an agent in Japan, and revamped its shipping processes.
In 2008, Martin Sellier created a subsidiary in Hong Kong, invested in a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and greatly improved its service rate. Within the same year, Martin Sellier revived some of its French manufacturing operations, and launched its new web site.
In 2009 the WMS was implemented and the sales force grew to 18 people.
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