History of Groupe SEB

Having travelled around France, Antoine Lescure (1807-1863) sets up his tin workshop in Selongey, near Dijon in Burgundy.

Jean Lescure (1843-1924) takes over the business from his father Antoine and creates the Jean Lescure tin factory in Selongey.

René (1874-1948) takes over from his father Jean as the head of the tin factory and acquires the first Schuler stamping press at the Paris Universal Exhibition.

René Lescure’s sons, Frédéric, Henri and Jean, relaunch the company, renaming it  “Manufacture de Ferblanterie Lescure Petits-Fils". They launch their first product made by stamping, the milk strainer. 

The company is renamed SEB (Société d’Emboutissage de Bourgogne).

S.E.B. becomes a public limited company, with Frédéric Lescure as its chairman from 1952 until 1972.

Launch of the Super Cocotte pressure cooker, which led to the expansion of the company and creation of Groupe SEB

Beginning of marketing and publicity campaigns, with a tour around France and its beaches by publicity vehicles.

SEB invents the odourless electric deep fryer and reinforces its position on the small electrical appliance market.

SEB starts its acquisition policy and takes over Tefal and its 5 European subsidiaries (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy).

Takeover of Calor and its German subsidiary. SEB widens its presence to include England and the United States.

Creation of SEB S.A. holding company and a legal organisation.
Chairman: Henri Lescure

The SEB share is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.

Groupe SEB head office is set up in Ecully, near Lyon. Emmanuel Lescure becomes Chairman

Acquisition of the German company Rowenta and its 8 subsidiaries. The Group strengthens its position in Europe and pursues its international growth.

Jacques Gairard takes over from Emmanuel Lescure as Chairman of the Group.

> Opening of subsidiaries in Mexico, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal,  Hungary, Turkey and Canada.

> Creation of a production unit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

> Opening of subsidiaries in Brazil and Argentina.
> Setting up of sales offices in Russia, Ireland, UAE.
> Strengthening of position in Asia and Canada.
> Creation of an industrial and commercial joint-venture in Shanghai (Red Heart).

> Acquisition of 44% of the capital of ARNO, the leading small electrical appliance company in Brazil

> Creation of subsidiaries in Chile and Korea

> Opening of sales offices in Norway

> The Group‘s share in Arno’s capital increases to 98%.

> Acquisition of Samuraï/Volmo, the leading small domestic appliances company in Colombia and Venezuela.

> Opening of a subsidiary in Australia.

> Opening of sales offices in Thailand and New Zealand.

> Full takeover of the Chinese joint-venture set up in 1996.

Thierry de La Tour d’Artaise replaces Jacques Gairard as Chairman of Groupe SEB.

> Partial takeover of Moulinex/Krups by Groupe SEB.

> Validation of the takeover of Moulinex/Krups by the European Commission.

Opening of subsidiaries in Thailand and Taiwan.

> The Group acquires the US-based company, All-Clad, the specialist in high-end cookware.

> Opening of a sales office in Peru and subsidiaries in Singapore and Malaysia.

> Acquisition of Lagostina, the Italian leader in stainless steel cookware (saucepans, frying pans, pressure cookers etc. ).

> Acquisition of Panex, the Brazilian leader for cookware. Opening of subsidiaries in Switzerland and Romania.

> Acquisition of Mirro WearEver’s assets.

> Opening of subsidiaries in Ukraine and Slovenia.

> Acquisition of a majority stake in Supor in China. This is the first time a foreign company has taken over a listed Chinese company.
> A new corporate identity to mark the Group’s 150th anniversary.
> Opening of a subsidiary in Latvia.

> Opening of a new SUPOR factory in Vietnam.

> Opening of subsidiaries in Bulgaria and South-East Asia.

> New Supor factory in Shaoxing (China).

> Creation of the company Lajas, regrouping all proprietary stores in Brazil.

Groupe SEB signed an acquisition contract on the 17^th of December with a view to acquire a majority stake in the Columbian IMUSA company, a national leader in cookware.

> Acquisition of Columbian company Imusa (leader in cookware)

> 1st bond issue

> Creation of an investment fund: SEB Alliance and acquisition of a majority stake in Key Ingredient (USA)

> Acquisition of the Vietnamese company Asia Fan (leader in fans)

> Additional 20% stake taken in Supor (China)

> Taking of majority stake in Maharaja Whiteline (India)