Marithé & François Girbaud signs major contract with FFI

(F.F.I.), headed by Mr Anupam Kothari, based in southern India, has been chosen to become the worldwide master licensee (excluding countries and products already under license).

This agreement will make it possible to maintain key manufacturing bases in Europe and Asia, to preserve know-how and to expand overall production capacity.

The agreement takes effect with the production of the Winter 2012/13 season, for a duration of 15 years and concerns:

- the production and distribution of the men and women’s designer lines, which will continue to be “made in Italy” at the facilities based in the Florence area, which will be reinforced in terms of structure and personnel in order to maintain the technical know-how and culture of the product;

- the production and the distribution of the line “Le Jean de Marithé+François Girbaud”, which will be run from the Bangalore office and sourced globally.

Central to the strategy of consolidating the European market, this agreement also drives the continuation and development of the retail business plan with the opening of the London store in July 2012 (New Bond Street) and a second phase which will focus on the emerging markets and the already planned opening of 30 stores in China within 3 years.

The objectives established require the implementation of a new business model and quality sourcing in line with the expectations of the brand, those of the customers and all those involved in bringing the brand to different markets.

F.F.I. will assure €40 million worth of production and industrial activity for Marithe+Francois Girbaud. This internationally renowned manufacturer currently produces 10 million pieces per year and employs 10,000 people. State of the art facilities boast the latest technologies, which not only streamline garment development and production processes, but also help safeguard the environment and health of the employees; factors strategically decisive in the choice of partner. Marithe+Francois Girbaud through F.F.I. will be able to strengthen their position of world leader in their drive to revolutionise the denim industry through environmentally sound practices.

The reorganisation and restructuring of the group currently underway will permit Marithe Bachellerie and Francois Girbaud to take over the entire control of their brand, to concentrate more exclusively on particular areas of their expertise and enable them to focus on design and communication activities as well as the retail development plan.

They look forward to working closely with Mr Kothari in whom they have found a partner who shares their vision and ideals, who has the organisation and capacity to marry the beliefs and technology which will enable them to put into practice on an industrial scale the theories they have been developing over the years. The agreement with F.F.I. concludes a period of over 12 months of conferences in which Marithe and Francois Girbaud have led the movement towards the creation of a cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly denim industry and heralds their return to the heart of the business.

Marithé & François Girbaud