In the 1980s, Paul van Zuydam quietly visited Le Creuset’s struggling French factory and was struck by its handmade, colorful cast-iron cookware. After a failed corporate acquisition, he personally bought the company, turning it around by expanding production, maintaining quality, and preserving its French roots. The WSJ reports that now 87, van Zuydam still leads Le Creuset, which has grown into an $850 million global brand known for its vibrant Dutch ovens and cookware.