Wood for gluing, colored straws, kits for crafting with children, everything you need for canework and remapping, without forgetting, of course, rattan of all shapes and sizes... 

A paradise for creative leisure, SARL Rotin Filé now employs around ten people, two of whom were recruited during the last half-year, for a turnover of €1.2 million. And it’s quite a journey, which has been covered in 10 years!

Indeed, when in 2014, Régis Gaude took over from his father, Roger, who died suddenly, the company he had managed since 1983 had lost a lot of value. "It was valued in 2009 at €800,000, but in the meantime, Indonesia, the main rattan producing country, had decided on an export embargo, says the buyer. The solution was to source in Vietnam and the Philippines, but the quality was not there. The company had decided to focus on price, which did not really correspond to demand. In short, we had 200,000 euros in stock , but as much debt."

Régis Gaude began by clearing the liabilities, then in 2015, he put together a financing file to acquire the company's current premises, in Pont d'Ain. Le Rotin Filé left Meximieux, where it had been established for 40 years, in 2016, losing a little turnover in the process. The company then employs four people, for a turnover of 560,000 euros. “In 2019, Crédit Agricole agreed to follow us, to allow us to go from €800,000 to €1 million,” thanks the manager.

FINISHED PRODUCTS

This progression has come through diversification. “When I bought the company, I knew we would be able to offer finished products.” And this one to list: baskets from Morocco, Poland or Madagascar, objects in woven material, exclusive rattan lampshades, designed by the company and produced in Indonesia, furniture... The company is the official supplier of fighting sticks in France. It also supplies manufacturers of hot air balloon baskets and shepherd's umbrellas.

A space is dedicated to creators and in particular to Colombian straw marquetry. “As part of the internships that we offer throughout the year, we bring in, once a year, the Colombian artist with whom we work,” notes Régis Gaude, whose company is also a relay point, “the largest in the department with 200 passages per day, on average, 600 in December. It’s a real asset for the store’s reputation.” The SARL's activity is 80% based on creative hobbies, which includes hospital clients because occupational therapists are trained in basketry for the rehabilitation of their patients.

Then come interior architects and decorators, as well as a significant market in cut rattan for the diffusion of scents by capillary action. Society knows no borders. “Before the war in Ukraine, we sold as far as Russia in the East and the United States, via the French Overseas Territories where we are very present.” To be able to carry out all its business successfully, Rotin Filé must have a large stock. “Having cash is not enough,” notes Régis Gaude. “It takes us four to eight months to be supplied. Also, to achieve €1.2 million in turnover, we must have 600,000 euros of goods in reserve.” Certainly, rattan comes from far away. But its import is not necessarily bad for the environment. “It is a vine that needs trees as tutors to develop. Also, buying rattan means fighting against deforestation in Indonesia,” highlights the company in its communication.