In Combret, in Aveyron, Malige has been producing brushes and rollers for 48 years.

In the Malige workshop, employees produce quality products for loyal customers. Free Midi – M.DURAND

Le façonnage des produits reste très artisanal et, donc, très qualitatif depuis 48 ans. Midi Libre – M.DURAND

Deuxième volet d'une série de cinq articles sur des entreprises dynamiques et innovantes implantées dans le Sud Aveyron. 

The buildings reflect the image of the company: discreet and perfectly integrated into the landscape. The Malige company is part of the history of Combret. It all started in the village in 1976, in the garage of the Cresci family from the Paris region. The Raval’Or company began its activity by manufacturing sheepskin paint rollers.

Subsequently, the product evolved to meet customer demand. Buildings outside the village were then constructed. In 1989 Laurent Cresci the son bought the Malige factory located near Paris which produced brushes and brushes. Seven years later, in 1996, the Cresci family created the Malige Raval’or company and decided to bring together the two production units in Combret to complete its range of products and also trade in complementary products (coating knife , adhesive…).

Agreements with renowned brands

A successful bet since 7 years later, the company doubled its production area by expanding the existing building. In 2005, it completed its production facilities to manufacture brushes and brooms while strengthening its trading activity by signing agreements with renowned brands in the field of paint.

All these activities, due to lack of space, forced it to open a warehouse in Camarès to manage the increasingly large stock. A new stage was reached in 2021 with the retirement of Laurent Cresci who sold his company to Cyrille Rozan. A professional who worked for the Seigneurie group, one of the world leaders in painting.

The Malige company in a few figures

The company employs ten people, three of whom are in the management department. The turnover is of the order of 1.5 million euros with an increase of between +3 and +5% per year. More than 500,000 pieces produced: 40 different brushes, 9 types of brushes and 10 of brushes, 20 kinds of brooms, 26 kinds of rollers (in different sizes), polishing disc, anti-decubitus slipper…

After his last position as subsidiary director in Congo, the original Breton decided to take over a business. The entrepreneur said "seduced by the size of the company, by the products, by its history between craftsmanship and small business". "Very attached to the notion of a quality, consumable product that builds customer loyalty » the new manager indicates having purchased « a healthy company.

Sold in hardware stores such as Decathlon

A company which offers a multitude of products in its catalog to satisfy the 400 customers, 95% of whom are located in France and 5% in French-speaking Africa. They are sold via wholesalers, in stores, hardware stores but also in major brands like Décathlon. "Quality is a manufacturing criterion". The raw material comes from France, Europe and China for silk.

Logistics is essential for a company which provides 50% of its turnover through the trading of complementary products. Two people operate the Camarès warehouse and 7 other people work 4 days a week on the Combret site. A workforce that must be "versatile and have machine sensitivity".

An upcoming move

In September, their working conditions should improve with the company's move to the Montlaur artisanal zone and the construction of a more functional building. A move of a few kilometers "made possible by the purchase of the existing building by the town hall of Combret" and which has for goal "by strengthening turnover to consolidate the company and its jobs".
 

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