ABOUT US
Our history
DEVCOT S.A. still operates from Lille in the heart of a region where the textile industry remains a living tradition and where Maurice Devilder founded the company in 1931. The third generation is now in command.
FIRM ROOTS AND A PROVEN EXPERTISE
Important dates for devcot
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1931
LAUNCHING OF THE COTTON BUSINESS
Founding of the company by Maurice Devilder. Cotton is imported to Europe from the United States, Egypt, Sudan and India.
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1945
NEW PRODUCING COUNTRIES
After 5 years without any activity in the cotton business, trade resumes exclusively with the USA (Marshall Plan) under the control of the French State. Later, new sources are added: Syria, Turkey.
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1959
A FAMILY COMPANY
Maurice Devilder creates Devilder & Compagnie and Polycoton France with the aid of his sons Patrick and Francis, later joined by Bernard and Alain. The two companies merge some years later under the name of DEVCOT.
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1970
GROWTH
With the rapid expansion of the textile market and the appearance of new tariff and customs conditions, DEVCOT must adapt to a new international environment. This significant challenge leads the senior managers to strengthen its trading activities, particularly in the Central Asian producing countries.
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The 1980s
DEVCOT GOES INTERNATIONAL
Owing to the expansion of its agency network in the new consumer countries, first in the Northern part of Asia (Japan/South Korea/Taiwan/Hong Kong) then in South East Asia, the company sees a growth in sales. Simultaneously, markets offering new varieties of cotton open up: West Africa, East Africa, Argentina, Peru, Australia, Central Asia and Brazil. In the mid-eighties DEVCOT sees a new generation appear with the arrival of Jean-Marc Mocq, Pascal Devilder and Thierry Devilder.
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The 1990s
DEVCOT IN AFRICA
DEVCOT’s activities on the African continent increase by strengthening ties with different producers and promoting closer cooperation with cotton companies. A greater understanding of the characteristics of the African fibre makes it easier to offer spinners this variety of cotton which appears now more frequently in their blends.
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From 2000 onwards
DEVCOT'S NEW EXPANSION
DEVCOT’s presence in South America (Peru, Argentina and Paraguay) is strengthened with the growing importance of Brazil on the international market and the constant improvement of its quality (mechanical harvesting, HVI classification). At the same time, DEVCOT follows the growth of worldwide consumption in emerging countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the countries of South East Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand).