Strong family roots genuine owner-managed performance

• Creation of the company Coutier SA, a subcontractor specialising in the manufacture of plastic parts, by three Coutier brothers, André, Joseph and Roger.

• Transformation of Coutier SA, with takeover of company MGI: emergence of MGI Coutier, a components manufacturer specialising in plastics

• Beginning of global expansion – Spain, Turkey and China.

• Listed on the Stock Exchange (Paris – Eurolist).

• Continuation of global expansion (Tunisia, Argentina, Brazil) and strengthening of activity in France (acquisitions and internal growth).

• Integration of the SAP management tool for optimum running of the 12 French sites and 9 global subsidiaries.

• Roll-out in India and Iran.

• Doubling of manufacturing surface area in Turkey (with a new site) and in Brazil (by expanding).

• Development in Eastern Europe with the creation of a site in Romania.

• Reinforcement of understanding of tools with takeover of the mould maker Deplanche and major external growth operation with the acquisition of the components manufacturer Avon Automotive in the US. 

• Acquisition of the Swedish components manufacturer Autotube AB.

• The second Coutier generation arrives at the helm with the appointment of Mathieu Coutier as President of the Executive Board

• New organisation with the creation of departments dedicated to product lines and industrial departments by geographical zone, managing the group’s plants.

• The MGI Coutier Group changes name and becomes AKWEL.

AKWEL celebrates its 50th anniversary

• Opening of a plant in Bulgaria.