Moulinex is a French brandname of small electrical appliances and kitchen equipment and is owned by Groupe SEB. Moulinex was originally established as a company in 1937, however at the beginning of September 2001, Moulinex declared bankruptcy. On 14 November 2001 thousands demonstrated against the closures of Moulinex factories in Caen, Normandy?s largest town. Tyres were piled up in front of official buildings and set on fire and police cars pelted with rotten eggs. Workers begun tearing up their voting cards, to symbolise that they felt ?let down? by the political parties and that they would not vote again. Without an independent political strategy to take forward their cause, however, the workers? opposition only led to frustration. At one factory threatened with closure in Cormelles-le-Royal near Caen, barrels of explosive substances were placed around the building and threats were made to blow them up. On 23 November 2001, thousands of Mo