ARC HOLDINGS
ARC HOLDINGS is the holding company of the Arc Group, a French manufacturer and international marketer of glass tableware.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
ARC HOLDINGS is the holding company associated with the Arc Group, a major French glass-tableware business headquartered in Arques in the Pas-de-Calais region. The group designs, manufactures and markets drinking glasses, stemware, plates, bowls, serving items, kitchen products and professional food-service tableware. Its collections are sold under the Luminarc, Arcopal, Cristal d’Arques Paris, Arcoroc and Chef&Sommelier trademarks, while a separate business-to-business activity develops customized or private-label products for manufacturers, distributors, hospitality operators and other professional customers. The company’s industrial lineage reaches back to the early nineteenth century. A glassmaking enterprise known as Verrerie des Sept Ecluses was created in 1825, and its history became connected with the Carpentier-Mancel glassworks at Saint-Martin-au-Laërt. After several changes of ownership, interruptions and reorganizations, the Arques glassworks resumed operations in the 1890s. Georges Durand became an important figure in the business at the end of that century and subsequently established the Durand family’s long association with the company. The decisive transformation began in the twentieth century. Jacques Durand joined the business in 1927 and, after studying American glassmaking methods, introduced tank furnaces, presses and increasingly automated production equipment. These investments helped the company combine industrial scale with the design and finishing expected of consumer glassware. After the Second World War, the company expanded rapidly, supported in part by access to modern equipment and financing associated with postwar reconstruction. By the 1950s it had become one of Europe’s most highly mechanized glassworks. Arc’s industrial identity was shaped by mass production innovations. The company developed automated methods for stemware, introduced products such as the Ballon glass, and helped make durable, affordable glassware available to households and professional users. Its thick-walled, ten-sided working glasses, introduced in 1978, became a recognizable part of French kitchen culture. In the second half of the twentieth century, the business grew from a regional manufacturer into a global tableware group, eventually producing more than a billion items annually and exporting to a large number of countries. Internationalization accelerated from the late 1970s. The group established production in Millville, New Jersey, followed by facilities in Nanjing, China, and Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. A Russian production site was also added during the 2010s. The company operated under the Arc International name during much of this period and developed a portfolio covering everyday consumer tableware, opal-glass products, crystal-look stemware, and specialized hospitality products. The group experienced significant financial and operational pressure from the beginning of the 2000s. Losses, restructuring, employment-protection plans and the reduction of the Arques workforce accompanied efforts to restore competitiveness. In 2014, Arc International Cookware, its Pyrex-related subsidiary, was sold to Aurora Capital Group. In 2015, the Boulogne-sur-Mer commercial tribunal approved a takeover and restructuring plan led by Peaked Hill Partners. The plan included debt reduction, recapitalization, workforce changes and new hiring commitments at Arques. Following restructuring, the group continued investing in materials, product development and international production. In 2019, research work led to culinary opal and colored opal glass, enabling collections made with through-colored opal material. In early 2021, management announced plans to recruit 225 employees on permanent contracts after an operating agreement concluded in late 2020. The group’s current identity is therefore based on a combination of large-scale glass manufacturing, branded consumer goods, professional food-service solutions, export distribution and customized business-to-business production.
History
The history of ARC HOLDINGS is rooted in the long industrial development of glassmaking in and around Arques, northern France. In 1825, Alexander des Lyons de Noircarme created a glassmaking firm called Verrerie des Sept Ecluses. The enterprise became associated with the Carpentier-Mancel glassworks, founded in 1823 at Saint-Martin-au-Laërt. During the nineteenth century, the works passed through several owners and corporate forms, experienced a major fire in 1856, and temporarily ceased operations in 1887. Production resumed after the creation of Société Anonyme Verrerie et Cristallerie d’Arques in 1892. Prudent Avot acquired the glassworks in 1897, and Georges Durand, who had prior experience at the Sèvres crystal works, became its director. Durand later became a partner and ultimately gained exclusive control in 1916 through G. Durand et Cie. The Durand family’s influence continued for much of the next century. Jacques Durand joined the business in 1927 and became the central architect of its industrial modernization. Jacques Durand studied American glassmaking in 1930 and returned with plans to apply tank furnaces, presses and automated machinery to the French operation. A first tank furnace and initial presses were installed in 1934. After the Second World War, further modernization took place under Jacques Durand and his father, supported by access to postwar financing and American-designed equipment. By 1950, the works produced approximately 15,000 tonnes of glass annually and employed nearly 1,000 people. During the 1960s, the company refined automated stemware production and introduced the Ballon glass, described as the first stemware product manufactured automatically by the company. In 1968, it achieved a major technical milestone by mechanizing the manufacture of crystal stemware. In 1978, it introduced thick-walled, ten-sided working glasses that became associated with everyday French kitchen use. By 1980, production had reached approximately 250,000 tonnes per year, with around 9,000 employees in France. The company began international production with the creation of Durand Glass Manufacturing Company in Millville, New Jersey, in 1979; the American site began production in 1982. Further plants were established in Nanjing in 2003 and Ras al-Khaimah in 2004, while a Russian site was acquired or developed in 2011. The group later operated under the Arc International name and built a global portfolio of consumer and professional brands. At its peak, its factories produced more than 1.6 billion items a year for export and domestic markets. The expansion brought significant financial strain in the 2000s. The group accumulated losses, conducted several voluntary-departure programs and reduced employment at Arques substantially. Arc International Cookware, the subsidiary associated with Pyrex products, was sold to Aurora Capital Group in 2014. A proposed majority investment by HIG Capital France announced in August 2014 did not ultimately succeed. In 2015, after further economic difficulties, the Boulogne-sur-Mer commercial tribunal approved a takeover proposal from Peaked Hill Partners. The restructuring involved an agreement among shareholders, banks, the French state and investors. Creditors agreed to reduce the group’s debt, while the new owners supplied recapitalization. Negotiations with labor representatives produced a plan involving redundancies alongside commitments to create new positions at the Arques site. The restructured group continued to emphasize research, materials development and product innovation. Its R&D organization includes engineers and other specialists working on basic research, new products, processes and projects connected with corporate social responsibility. In 2019, the company developed culinary opal and colored opal glass, expanding its ability to make products from through-colored opal material. In 2021, management announced 225 permanent hires after an operating agreement reached in 2020. The modern group combines legacy French production with international manufacturing, branded distribution and B2B customization.
- 2021
Permanent hiring program announced
[1]The company announced 225 permanent contracts following an operating agreement reached in late 2020.
- 2019
New opal-glass materials developed
[1]Arc announced culinary opal and colored opal glass capabilities following a multi-year research program.
- 2015
Court-approved takeover and recapitalization
[1]Peaked Hill Partners’ takeover plan was approved, combining debt reduction, recapitalization and employment restructuring.
- 2011
Russian production site added
[1]The group expanded its production network with a site in Gous-Khroustalny, Russia.
- 2008
Chef&Sommelier established
[1]Chef&Sommelier was introduced as a premium food-service and tasting-oriented brand.
- 2004
Ras al-Khaimah facility added
[1]A production facility in the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah joined the group’s international network.
- 2003
Nanjing production facility established
[1]The group expanded its manufacturing footprint into China with a facility in Nanjing.
- 1979
International production begins in the United States
[1]Durand Glass Manufacturing Company was established in Millville, New Jersey; production began there in 1982.
- 1978
Working glass introduced
[1]The company introduced thick-walled, ten-sided working glasses that became a familiar product in French households.
- 1968
Mechanized crystal-stemware production
[1]The company achieved a major industrial advance by mechanizing the production of crystal stemware and created the Cristal d’Arques Paris brand.
Products and positioning
A French industrial glassware group combining high-volume manufacturing, accessible household tableware, premium-looking stemware, professional food-service products and customized B2B solutions.
Consumer glassware and tableware · 1948
Luminarc
Created in 1948, Luminarc is Arc’s principal everyday consumer brand. Its range includes clear and decorated drinking glasses, tumblers, plates, bowls, serving products and other household tableware. The brand is positioned around practical use, broad distribution and accessible industrially produced designs rather than artisanal exclusivity.
Opal-glass tableware · 1958
Arcopal
Launched in 1958, Arcopal specializes in tableware made from opal glass, historically associated with its light appearance, durability and suitability for everyday household use. The brand is also strongly connected with vintage-inspired French designs and decorated collections. Later material development enabled culinary opal and through-colored opal products.
Decorative and crystal-style stemware · 1968
Cristal d’Arques Paris
Created in 1968, Cristal d’Arques Paris is the group’s consumer-facing decorative stemware brand. It offers glasses and serving pieces designed to provide the visual character associated with crystal while benefiting from industrial production. Its collections are aimed at domestic entertaining, gifting and presentation-oriented table settings.
Professional food-service tableware · 1958
Arcoroc
Established in 1958, Arcoroc serves bars, hotels, restaurants, catering operators and institutional users. Its portfolio covers glassware and crockery designed for repeated handling, intensive service and operational durability. The brand’s value proposition emphasizes functional design, robustness and suitability for professional food-service environments.
Premium hospitality and tasting glassware · 2008
Chef&Sommelier
Chef&Sommelier was established in 2008 for higher-end hospitality, restaurant and tasting applications. Its products include specialist wine and beverage glasses, tableware and cutlery intended for professional users, retailers and consumers interested in presentation and tasting experiences. The brand occupies the more premium end of Arc’s food-service portfolio.
Brand decisions
2019
Introduction of culinary and colored opal glassProduct launchBackground
Arc’s research and development teams pursued new glass materials and product possibilities over approximately two years.
Action taken
The group developed culinary opal and colored opal glass, allowing products made from through-colored opal material.
Aftermath
The materials broadened the company’s opal-glass collection and supported new colored tableware lines.
2015
Peaked Hill Partners takeover and restructuringM&ABackground
Continuing economic difficulties left Arc International in need of a court-approved restructuring involving its historical shareholders, lenders, the French state and prospective investors.
Action taken
The Boulogne-sur-Mer commercial tribunal approved Peaked Hill Partners’ takeover. The plan included recapitalization, creditor concessions and a new employment-protection program.
Aftermath
The agreement reduced the group’s reported debt from €280 million to €62 million and included €58 million of recapitalization. Following negotiations, 195 redundancies and 233 new positions were planned at Arques.
Reported group debt and recapitalization. €280 million debt → €62 million debt; €58 million recapitalization (2015)
2014
Sale of Arc International CookwareM&ABackground
Arc International faced financial pressure and sought liquidity and strategic support. Its cookware subsidiary, associated with Pyrex products, was separated from the group.
Action taken
Arc International Cookware was sold to the American investment firm Aurora Capital Group.
Aftermath
The transaction formed part of a broader effort to stabilize the group and identify new shareholders; a later proposed majority investment by HIG Capital France did not succeed.
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