LABARONNE-CITAF flexible tank has been developed from long experience and a reputation of know-how. It was during the 1950s in Algeria that Mr. LABARONNE designed self-supporting water tanks made of polyester fabric with PVC coating (patent registration). The lack of water in that country, as well as in all Africa, made it essential to have reliable and inexpensive solutions to store rainwater protected from evaporation and various forms of pollution.

Very quickly, Mr. LABARONNE manufactured and marketed these flexible tanks in the country under the brand name C.I.T.A.F. (CITerne pour l’Agriculture Française – Tank for French Agriculture). As the name shows, the company’s business was devoted to transport and storage of agricultural liquids, mainly for irrigation. The conflicts linked with Algeria’s independence encouraged Mr. LABARONNE to settle in France near Tours.

When Mr. LABARONNE died, his son Jacques ran the company and settled in Vienne in 1972.

The range quickly widened with larger capacities thanks to the quality of technical fabrics. At the same time, other markets like building construction and chemical industries opened to the company since over the years the design of the tank and the welding technologies were improved with the use of high-frequency techniques.

After the unexpected death of Jacques LABARONNE in 1988, Jacques Cellier, a manufacturer from Aix-les-Bains, became the new owner. He appointed Gérard HARICOT as manager of the company. As a tribute to its founder, the company was then called LABARONNE-CITAF.

When Gérard HARICOT retired in 2001, Michel Charton, specialist in biological treatment of effluents, succeeded him. The company developed its engineering competencies.

The company was taken over in 2004. Denis AUBEL is the new CEO of LABARONNE-CITAF. The commercial department of the company was reorganised and reinforced.