What Guy Cotten does

Guy Cotten is a French family-owned manufacturer of waterproof rainwear and foul weather gear, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Trégunc, Brittany, where it operates as Guy Cotten SAS. The company designs and produces all of its apparel in France, serving commercial fishermen, professional and competitive sailors, agricultural and outdoor workers, sport fishing enthusiasts, and lifestyle consumers through six product ranges: yachting and water sports, commercial fishing and industry, agriculture and outdoor work, sport fishing, city and leisure wear, and bags and accessories. Its technical foundation rests on proprietary waterproof and breathable fabric technologies — most notably the Dremtech fabric used in the Veste Kara offshore jacket and Pantalon Beaufort trousers — combined with EPI/PPE certifications for safety-critical products and an in-house repair-and-after-sales workshop capability that reinforces a "clothes that last" positioning. The eco-designed ultramodern production facility was created in 2019, signaling continued capital investment in domestic, sustainable manufacturing.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of apparel and equipment, distributed via an authorized retailer locator network, approved safety service stations for PPE servicing, an own-branded boutique on Quai Carnot in Concarneau, and a US-facing website (guycottenusa.com). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and no e-commerce channel is operated on the main site. Marketing is anchored in long-tenured sponsorships of elite solo sailors (François Gabart/MACIF, Charlie Dalin/APIVIA, Armel Le Cléac'h, Yves Le Blevec/Actual, Tom Laperche/SVR Lazartigue, Team Bretagne CMB) and major regattas — including the Solo Concarneau – Trophée Guy Cotten (title sponsor since 2013), the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec (50-year partnership as of 2025), the Route du Rhum, and the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile — alongside co-branding collaborations with lifestyle brands such as Royal Mer, Bleu de Chauffe, and CoolShoe Corp. The company remains privately held under family stewardship, with leadership having passed from founder Guy Cotten to his daughter Nadine Bertholom-Cotten in 2003.

Name

Guy Cotten

Legal name

Guy Cotten SAS

Website

https://guycotten.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Guy Cotten is a French family-owned manufacturer founded in 1964 that designs and produces waterproof rainwear and foul weather gear in Brittany, serving commercial fishermen, professional sailors, agricultural workers, and lifestyle consumers through authorized retailers and co-branding partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Workwear

NAICS

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133), Fabric Coating Mills (31332), Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (31491)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Rubber & Plastics Footwear (3021)

akta.pro primary industry

Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Apparel & Footwear Retail (Wetsuits, Rash Guards, Deck Shoes) (CRAMAIAJ), Chemical-Resistant & Hazardous Materials Protective Clothing (CRAAALAI)

Keywords

• Waterproof rainwear
• Foul weather gear
• Marine workwear
• Fishing oilskins
• Protective clothing

Headquarters

HQ city

Trégunc

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Apparel and Equipment Sales: Guy Cotten generates revenue primarily through the sale of waterproof rainwear, foul weather gear, sailing jackets, trousers, fleeces, safety equipment, boots, accessories, and related apparel across multiple vertical segments: yachting, commercial fishing, agriculture, industry, sport fishing, and city/leisure wear. Products are sold through a network of authorized retailers, approved safety service stations, and the company's own boutique.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Guy Cotten designs and manufactures waterproof protective clothing, including oilskin jackets, bib pants, smocks, and foul-weather suits, using its proprietary Dremtech+ coated and laminate fabrics. The company produces garments in Concarneau, France, serving professional fishermen, sailors, agricultural workers, and leisure consumers across four main product ranges: Yachting, Fishing/Industry, Agriculture, and City/Leisure.

Product overview

Guy Cotten is a French manufacturer of waterproof and durable raingear founded in 1964, specializing in professional and consumer marine, fishing, and agricultural work clothing. The product portfolio is organized into six main ranges: (1) Yachting & Water Sports covering ocean/offshore sailing, cruising/coastal sailing, water sports, and children's sailing gear with jackets, trousers, and fleece; (2) City and Leisure Wear for casual urban and seaside use; (3) Fishing and Industry for commercial fishing and industrial applications including safety gear, warm jackets, all-in-one suits, and aprons; (4) Agriculture and Outdoor Work with high visibility clothing, chest waders, and protective gear; (5) Sport Fishing with jackets, smocks, and buoyancy aids; and (6) a dedicated Women's Range. The company also offers bags and holdalls and engages in co-branding collaborations with fashion and lifestyle partners. Key named products include the Veste Kara offshore jacket and Pantalon Beaufort trousers from the Dremtech line. Guy Cotten is recognized as the creator of the iconic yellow oilskin (ciré jaune) and positions its products around durability, repairability, and Made in France manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yachting product range (Dremtech+ and Dremtech+ Air) Waterproof jackets, bib pants, smocks, and offshore gear built on Dremtech+ and breathable Dremtech+ Air fabrics, targeted at sailing professionals, regatta crews, and serious yachtsmen.
• Fishing / Industry product range Heavy-duty oilskin jackets, bib pants, smocks, and full foul-weather suits designed for professional fishermen, aquaculture workers, and other marine industrial users.
• Agriculture product range Waterproof jackets, bib pants, and protective outerwear engineered for farmers, livestock breeders, and agricultural field workers.
• City / Leisure product range Waterproof jackets and outerwear adapted from Guy Cotten's professional marine heritage for everyday urban, coastal, and leisure wear by individual consumers.
• Sport Fishing product range Waterproof clothing and accessories designed for sport and recreational fishing anglers, combining Dremtech+ fabric performance with consumer-oriented styling.

Quantifiable outcome

• François Gabart established a solo round-the-world record on the trimaran MACIF, with Guy Cotten providing the offshore apparel. The MACIF trimaran covered 851 nautical miles in 24 hours, setting a new solo 24-hour distance record, all while wearing Guy Cotten gear.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Solo Concarneau – Trophée Guy CottenflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Since 2013, the Solo Concarneau sailing race has awarded the Trophée Guy Cotten in honor of the company's founder. Guy Cotten serves as title sponsor, providing visibility at this qualifying event for the Solitaire URGO Le Figaro. The company has a dedicated brand boutique on Quai Carnot adjacent to the racing pontoons. The partnership provides direct access to professional sailors for product feedback and testing while delivering significant brand exposure. The 2026 event marks over a decade of partnership.
• Solitaire du Figaro PapreccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten has been a partner of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec for 50 years as of 2025. The company equips skippers participating in this elite solo sailing circuit and has a longstanding presence at the event. The partnership involves outfitting teams and generating product feedback from professional competition.
• MACIF (Trimaran MACIF – François Gabart)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten is a technical partner and sponsor of François Gabart and the MACIF trimaran team. François Gabart has been equipped by Guy Cotten for multiple major oceanic races including solo round-the-world record attempts, the Route du Rhum, and Figaro class competitions. The MACIF team represents a flagship brand ambassador relationship, with Guy Cotten gear being used in some of the most extreme oceanic sailing conditions.
• Team Bretagne CMB PerformancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten is a long-standing partner of Team Bretagne CMB Performance, equipping skippers including Sébastien Simon (who won the Solitaire URGO Le Figaro 2018 wearing Guy Cotten gear) and Loïs Berrehar. The team competes in Figaro and IMOCA class events.
• Team Actual (Yves Le Blevec)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten has equipped Yves Le Blevec since 2010, originally in the Multi50 class and subsequently in the Ultime class with Actual. Guy Cotten gear was used during Le Blevec's 'Tour du Monde à l'Envers' (round-the-world against prevailing winds), one of the most extreme solo sailing challenges.
• Tom Laperche (Trimaran SVR LAZARTIGUE)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten is a partner of Tom Laperche, skipper of the Trimaran SVR LAZARTIGUE. Tom Laperche features in the company's official testimonials page and represents the brand in IMOCA-class competition.
• Imoca APIVIA (Charlie Dalin)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten has been a technical partner of Charlie Dalin for multiple years, equipping him during Figaro class competitions and the Transat Jacques Vabre. Charlie Dalin has been a consistent podium finisher while wearing Guy Cotten gear.
• Tour de Bretagne à la VoilecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten has been a loyal partner of the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile sailing event for many years. The company hosted a 'Grand Prix Guy Cotten' leg during the 2019 edition, held in Concarneau. The company also sponsors the organization and multiple competing teams at the event.
• Route du Rhum GuadeloupecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten has been a partner of the Route du Rhum Guadeloupe transatlantic sailing race, equipping multiple skippers across IMOCA, Ultime, Multi50, Class40, and Rhum classes. At the 2018 edition, Guy Cotten-equipped sailors won or podiumed in multiple classes.
• Royal Mer X Guy CottenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Mer, a marine/lifestyle fashion brand, partnered with Guy Cotten for a co-branding collaboration. This collaboration combines Royal Mer's fashion expertise with Guy Cotten's marine apparel heritage to create a marine-inspired fashion line.
• Rivalin X Guy CottenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuy Cotten partnered with Rivalin for a co-branding collaboration, combining Guy Cotten's marine apparel heritage with Rivalin's brand identity in a joint product offering.
• CoolShoe Corp. X Guy CottenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoolShoe Corp. partnered with Guy Cotten for a co-branding collaboration, extending Guy Cotten's brand into the footwear/lifestyle accessories category.
• Bleu de Chauffe X Guy CottenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBleu de Chauffe, a French workwear/lifestyle bag brand, partnered with Guy Cotten for a co-branding collaboration. The partnership combines two iconic French workwear brands in a lifestyle-oriented product line.
• Les Chaussettes Augustin X Guy CottenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Chaussettes Augustin, a French sock manufacturer, partnered with Guy Cotten for a co-branding collaboration, extending the Guy Cotten brand into the hosiery/accessories category.
• Under the PoleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten is a partner of Under the Pole, an underwater exploration organization. The partnership was referenced in the company's news section, suggesting Guy Cotten provides equipment for underwater/marine research activities.
• We Explore (Catamaran)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuy Cotten reinforced its engagement with the We Explore catamaran project led by Roland Jourdain (a renowned French sailor and former Vendée Globe competitor). This represents a long-term commitment to a flagship exploration/sailing project.
• Guirec Soudée (Ambassador)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuirec Soudée is a Guy Cotten brand ambassador and professional sailor who completed a solo Tour of the World after 94 days in March 2026. He is featured on the company's website homepage and represents the brand in extreme solo sailing challenges.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Henri Lloyd: British sailing apparel brand with proprietary fabric technologies (e.g., TP2, Hi-Fit). Comparable to Guy Cotten as a specialist manufacturer of offshore and coastal sailing jackets and trousers targeting professional and club sailors.
• Zhik: Australian technical sailing apparel brand focused on high-performance dinghy, keelboat, and offshore gear. Comparable to Guy Cotten as a specialist supplier to professional and Olympic sailors, with similar sponsor-driven go-to-market.
• Musto: British marine apparel brand specializing in sailing, offshore, and equestrian technical clothing. Closely comparable to Guy Cotten as a premium foul weather gear manufacturer serving professional and recreational sailors with similar offshore jacket and trouser offerings.
• Gill Marine: British marine apparel brand specializing in sailing, dinghy, and offshore technical clothing. Direct peer to Guy Cotten's yachting and water sports range with overlapping product categories (offshore jackets, trousers, coastal sailing wear).
• Mascot Workwear: Danish manufacturer of professional workwear including high-visibility, waterproof, and certified safety clothing. Comparable to Guy Cotten's Agriculture and Outdoor Work range, particularly its high-visibility sub-line for professional users.
• Dubarry: Irish footwear and apparel brand with strong marine and country lifestyle positioning. Comparable to Guy Cotten across marine deck boots, sailing apparel, and the lifestyle/leisure extension into coastal casual wear.
• Grundens: American manufacturer of commercial fishing and workwear rainwear including oilskins and bib trousers. Highly comparable to Guy Cotten's Fishing and Industry range, targeting commercial fishermen with heavy-duty waterproof garments.
• Stormline: New Zealand-based manufacturer of PVC and PU commercial fishing rainwear including jackets and bib-and-brace trousers. Direct competitor to Guy Cotten's Fishing and Industry range in the global commercial fishing segment.

Broad incumbents

• Helly Hansen: Norwegian heritage brand offering waterproof sailing, workwear, and outdoor apparel. Directly comparable to Guy Cotten's foul weather gear but at significantly larger scale, broader product portfolio, and global distribution including workwear divisions.
• Regatta: British outdoor and rainwear brand offering waterproof jackets, trousers, and leisure apparel across a much wider product portfolio. Comparable to Guy Cotten's City and Leisure Wear range but competing primarily on price and mass-market volume.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cottenguy
• Facebookfacebook.com/guy.cotten.14
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guy-cotten-sas
• Instagraminstagram.com/guycottengroupe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Guy Cotten