Alu Doncherois: a cooperative foundry

In 2020 ITC La Doncheroise, based in Donchery in French Ardennes, became Alu Doncherois, following a takeover by employees, and its conversion into a SCOP (a French cooperative and participatory company). A year later, it shows good growth prospects.

Even before ITC La Doncheroise was terminated, Valérie Giacobbé and Cédric Damerose joined forces with three other employees to create a cooperative production company with variable capital, operated as a Sarl. With the support of its customers and suppliers, they have preserved the company’s business, jobs and know-how.

Alu Doncherois is an aluminium foundry specialising in the manufacture and processing of parts by gravity shell casting or sand casting. It produces parts in small and medium runs, as well as individual and replacement parts for professionals and individuals. It works for many sectors including the transport, agriculture, medical, art deco, street furniture and industrial sectors. It more especially produces parts that meet certain technical characteristics, such as airtightness, resistance to pressure and stretching or weldability, such as, for example, sealing lids for tanks.

Since the takeover, Alu Doncherois has entered new markets, such as lighting, with new regional partnerships. At the same time, the company is improving its production facilities by making repairs and fitting out workstations, etc. It is also planning to create a sandcasting workshop with sand regeneration (work should start in September). With this new dynamic, Alu Doncherois intends to increase its production capacity in 2022.

A lot of the economic activity in the Ardennes revolves around foundries. Whether they’re small or large, the Ardennes foundries have proven their worth. This industrial tradition continues thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s men and women.

By Ardennes Développement, the Ardennes economic development agency - ardennes-developpement.com