On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, AKWEL is revisiting the half-century that made its history. A journey among the family saga behind the AKWEL group.
Welcome
" From its inception in a barn of the Ain department to its international status, AKWEL has always remained true to its DNA: family-run, reliable, effective, innovative, simple and human. Our roots and the common sense that have guided us throughout our history led us to identify our mission early on: to be a trusted tier-one supplier for our customers and help them meet all their challenges. While it has evolved and adapted to the challenges of today and tomorrow, its fundamentals have remained unchanged. "
— MATHIEU COUTIER, Chairman of AKWEL
Creation of the Coutier SARL Company, a subcontractor specialising in the manufacture of plastic parts, by three Coutier brothers, André, Joseph and Roger, in Champfromier.
Coutier SA begins its transformation: takeover of MGI and establishment of MGI Coutier, a components manufacturer specialising in plastics and metal.
Listed on the French Stock Exchange.
MGI Coutier becomes AKWEL. The turnover exceeds one billion Euros.
AKWEL forms a partnership with Tallano Technologie, which has developed and patented the TAMIC® solution, a system for collecting harmful micro-particles emitted during vehicle braking.
AKWEL works with car manufacturer Renault by fitting the 100% electric “Megane e-tech electric” model with two innovations: the “Flush” handle and a new battery cooling system.
AKWEL adapts to the underlying trends which transform vehicles: electrification, decontamination, new forms of mobility and autonomous vehicles.
" Like my father
, I know,
who we are, where we are and where we want to go. We have a very simple strategy: continue to be a trusted tier-one supplier for our customers, helping them manufacture vehicles that are more reliable, more ecologically responsible, smarter and more autonomous at a competitive price. That’s our mission. "
In 1978, the first direct order from Peugeot is a revelation.
« From then on, our dream and our desire have been to become a full-line supplier to automotive manufacturers » It took 6 years for this ambition to become the common thread of every decision made at AKWEL. It remains the group’s credo to this day.
It all started in 1972, after they completed their studies.
« Drawing from our working culture, Roger, Joseph and I decided to embark in the plastics processing industry. That’s when the adventure began. Little did we know how far we would get »
— ANDRÉ COUTIER, resident of AKWEL’s Supervisory Board
Born respectively in 1949, 1950 and 1952, brothers André, Joseph and Roger Coutier
grow up in Champfromier, a small village in the Ain department. Tilling the earth plays a central role in this family, based on which they set out two major guidelines: always work relentlessly and earn a living.
