Duralex surprises again

Duralex has just been rescued through crowdfunding in France which raised circa E20m or four times the amount required. It clearly has a magic appeal.

However, this is not the first time that Duralex has occasioned a surprise. For 56 year ago I was the accountant of an import business on the Zambian Copperbelt and the proprietor decided to branch away to another line of business. He chose Duralex and therefore visited Duralex in France after he had placed a £10,000 order (about £200,000 in today's terms). On his arrival Duralex thanked him for the order and remarked that this was the biggest order Duralex had ever received. My boss thought that they must be joking but was very concerned at what he had signed up.

Five months later the consignment had got round the Cape and on to the Tanzam railway all ready to destroy the proprietor's profits. But within one week it was all sold and paid for. Commerce can surprise.

Written by Simon Cawkwell, November 2025