Chargeurs PPC agrees deal to acquire Cilander

AG Cilander has managed to avert the possibility of ceasing trading. As the textile finishing company from the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland has now announced, it has signed a binding agreement with Chargeurs PCC Fashion Technologies, which will see the French firm, a global market leader for interlinings and inner components in the clothing industry, acquire two strategic business units from Cilander. In so doing, it is seeking to strengthen its research and development capacities. In addition, according to Cilander's press release, this should open doors to demanding niche markets for Chargeurs PPC such as the military and allow the French company to expand its market share in the clothing segment.

Back in February of this year, an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders resolved to discontinue production by the end of July and to close the business by the end of August at the latest. Cilander explained that it was forced to take this decision owing to sharply rising costs, for example for energy, combined with rapidly diminishing demand both at home and abroad.

The takeover agreement now concluded includes Cilander’s historic Geissbühler factory based in Lützelflüh in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, which is where textiles for demanding markets such as the military, interior design, sports and outdoor clothing, as well as mobility applications, are finished. Ownership of the shirting fabrics business under the Alumo brand, which comes with an e-commerce platform, will also change hands to Chargeurs PPC, as is the case for the fashion brands Eugster & Huber, Brennet, and the Swiss Ghutra brand, which specializes in high-quality fabrics and headwear for an upmarket client base in the Middle East.

“We are totally convinced that the Chargeurs team will further develop Cilander’s diamonds”, comments Burghard Schneider, CEO of Cilander. No details have been disclosed regarding the number of jobs that this acquisition will save. ce/mm