1910

Creation of the cooperage in Saint Romain by Joseph FRANÇOIS.

1917

Robert FRANÇOIS and his brother, Henri, follow in their father’s footsteps, creating in 1942 the FRANÇOIS FRÈRES company.

1959

1972

Jean and Noëlle FRANÇOIS take over the running of the company and develop sales abroad.

In the 70s, the first barrel is sold to Italy and delivered to Angelo Gaja.

It is through Mondavi that FRANÇOIS barrels first make their way across the Atlantic.

1982

TFF GROUP : Rewarded with a prize for artisanal exports

Rosemount in Australia orders its first barrels and the Catena family imports its first barrels in Argentina.

TFF GROUP develops its exports to Europe and to the vineyards of the new world, but maintains, all the while, its close relationships with its french clients, especially in the Burgundy region.

1989

Jérôme FRANÇOIS takes over the leadership of the Demptos cooperage which was founded in Bordeaux in 1825.

1995

Purchase of the « TRONCAIS BOIS MERRAIN » stave mill in the Allier.

1996

Acquisition of the BOUYOUD cooperage, close to the Côtes du Rhône region. The cooperage is also specialised in the production of chestnut barrels.

1999

Floatation on the second stock market of Paris.

Acquisition of the SO.GI.BOIS stave mill, France’s leading stave mill.

The group thus reinforces its self-sufficiency in French oak and integrates some of the margins that results from the wood’s initial transformation.

2000

Creation of Demptos Spain.

Acquisition of 50 % of Trust-Hungary which produces and distributes Hungarian oak barrels, leading to growth in the range of products offered and stability in the supply of oak.

2001

Acquisition of 49 % of AP JOHN, a partner of FOSTERS : the Australian cooperage is the leader on its market and provides the group’s first foothold in the Southern Hemisphere.

2002

Creation of the JOSEPH FRANÇOIS large vat cooperage: the Group takes its first step on the large vat market.

2006

Acquisition of CLASSIC OAK from FOSTERS, allowing better distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

Acquisition of 46 % more of AP JOHN.

Acquisition of the distribution in South Africa of DEMPTOS.

2007

Acquisition of 50 % of AROBOIS, which makes wood products for oenology.

2008

Acquisition of two cooperages in Scotland: SPEYSIDE and BROXBURN COOPERAGE: diversification onto the whisky market.

2009

Acquisition of a new cooperage in Scotland, ISLA COOPERAGE.

Acquisition of 50 % of STAVIN, the American global leader in wood products.

2010

The FRANÇOIS family celebrates a centenary of know-how.

Acquisition of the remaining 50% of AROBOIS, a wood product specialist.

2011

Acquisition of a fourth Scottish cooperage: CAMLACHIE.

2012

Acquisition of the RADOUX group, which includes 3 brands, 3 cooperages, 1 large vat cooperage, 1 stave mill and 1 distribution company.

Acquisition of the remaining 50% of STAVIN, the wood product leader.

2014

Acquisition of the MAURY ET FILS cooperage.

Acquisition of the BERGER ET FILS cooperage.

2015

Creation in Ohio of a bourbon cooperage, SPEYSIDE BOURBON COOPERAGE OHIO.

2016

After wood, stainless steel becomes the target of a new diversification with the acquisition of the LEJEUNE company, which specialises in the production of stainless steel vats and wine cellars.

The year sees a reinforcement also of the group’s wood sourcing with the acquisition of IDELOT, which is specialised in forestry and the sale of logs.

TFF Group continues to pursue its development strategy on the alcohol market in the United States with the acquisition of BARRELS UNLIMITED Inc (BUI).

A family cooperage created by Steve Gabrielson, BUI has been specialised for more than 35 years in the repair, renovation and trade of used wine and bourbon barrels for the scotch whisky business.