History

1959, Start of Dunkirk’s steel industry’s site construction.

29th of October 1962, The heavy plates factory laminate its first plate from a slab from Denain. The heavy plates factory is then the first sector to USINOR Dunkirk, steel industry implanted on 250 hectares, since 1959 on the North sea shore, around Grande-Synthe, near Dunkirk. This decision, taken by Charles De Gaulle, will then change the local economy and environment for the next decades.

In 1984,  The heavy plates factory will become « Unité Plaques ». The same year, the plates factory will acquire a second rolling tool and will then start the construction of the Cage Quarto number 2 (named « Q2 » (launched in 1985)). At the same time, Usinor bought the « Gros Tubes Soudés » division from Vallourec. (Dunkirk sites, Sedan, Maubeuge, la Rougeville. Belleville’s tuberie was bought before).

In 1986, « Unité Plaques » becomes « TFK Plaques »

In 1987 « TFK S.A »

In 1988, the tuberies merged to « GTS Industries », the plates factory « TFK S.A. », the shot-blasting and painting workshop « Tracogep » are all fused together, taking the name « GTS Industries ».

In 1991, Dillinger Hütte, Mannesmann and GTS Industries create together: « Europipe ».

The name de GTS Industries will then only be used by the plates factory.

In 1992, after multiple name changes, GTS Industries becomes a 100% subsidiary to the german group Dillinger Hütte. The name is kept to prevent other changes to the name.

1st of January 2000, Dillinger France is exclusively stocked with slabs, its raw material, by the head quarters Dillinger.

In 2012, The heavy plates factory will celebrate its 50 years of existence in Dunkirk and its 20 years belonging to the group. All local partners, elected, politic reprensentatives, associatives, professionnal and econonomic, as well as customers, the employees and their families, not to forget retired people, have been invited to celebrate this important anniversary.

In 2014, Facing a growing concurrence, GTS Industries and other subsidiaries as selling agencies will change their names to take the german head quarter’s, to reinforce the image of the Group. GTS Industries, the only french plates factory of the group, will name itself Dillinger France.

In 2022, Dillinger France celebrates 60 years of existence and 30 years of belonging to the Dillinger group. More than 200 people, family members of employees and in particular children visited the company during December 2022. Active and retired employees were also able to celebrate this historic moment during a meal.