Léderlin

"In the process, and at his scale (which is not yet the same as that of Kuhlman, Motte, and Gillet, alongside whom he almost seems like the poor relative), Boussac attempts to establish himself in Alsace without success; but, on Léderlin’s advice, he pulls off a nice move: the low-cost purchase, in Poland, of a German-manufactured plant under sequestration, Zyrardov, near Warsaw, with 3,000 workers."

"The honeymoon between the “king of bleaching” and his disciple is at its peak. Those who get along like two brothers in business no longer part when it’s time to have fun. Léderlin, married to a Russian princess, Olga Skouratoff, a descendant of Boris Godunov, beautiful and ethereal but who he blithely neglects, leads the revelry with festivities going strong between Paris and the Vosges. Sparkling parties, nocturnal excursions, secretive gatherings: Marcel and Paul are inseparable."

"Boussac then assigns Henri Jacquemin, who recounted it to me—a former employee of Léderlin, “poached” with his blessing—to visit each of the factories one by one. Circulating if necessary through the lines of the French armies, he will present manufacturers with the following deal: “You are offered to reopen your factories. You will be supplied with equipment and orders. Do you agree to resume manufacturing under these conditions?” The responses do not take long."

"He bought or acquired shares in about fifty companies throughout France. Boussac closely observed this fabulous venture because Léderlin became enamored with him. Alongside industrial lessons or initiation into paternalism, the bright neophyte refined his education in many other areas."

"Boussac finds it hard to endure the obstacle to his growth represented by Léderlin’s de facto monopoly on bleaching and dyeing. In the pyramid of his integrated structure—from spinning to the item in the shop window—it’s the level where his development is hindered. Only his Moyenmoutier factory includes a bleaching and dyeing unit, which existed at the time of the company’s acquisition."

"Textile Hoarding.” Noting that “never, at any time and at any era, was a cotton company founded with such a large capital,” Boussac is presented as a henchman of Laederich and Léderlin: “The war, with its needs, offered the alliance of Mr. Laederich and Mr. Léderlin immense horizons. Companies needed to be founded to monopolize textiles, companies that would devour small industrialists and small manufacturers for the benefit of a trust.”"

"Boussac then assigns Henri Jacquemin, who recounted it to me—a former employee of Léderlin, “poached” with his blessing—to visit each of the factories one by one. Circulating if necessary through the lines of the French armies, he will present manufacturers with the following deal: “You are offered to reopen your factories. You will be supplied with equipment and orders. Do you agree to resume manufacturing under these conditions?” The responses do not take long."

"During the years when Boussac and Léderlin will get along like twin brothers, they will never part, sharing everything: business, cars, and, according to gossip, women. It is still the time when traders endure the dictatorship of manufacturers."