The PSA plant of Hérimoncourt. This is the new battle industrial the minister of the Economy. After the steel mill Ascoval and the Ford plant in Blanquefort, Bruno The Mayor promises to fight “for the industrial future of the site, the cradle of Peugeot, located in the Doubs department and is threatened with closure. “I can’t imagine for a moment that Peugeot do not keep an industrial activity on the site of Hérimoncourt,” said the tenant of Bercy during questions to the government last Wednesday at the national Assembly. Why this site keeps special attention on the part of the government? What are the projects of PSA? Part of the answer.
What is the peculiarity of the site of Hérimoncourt?
It is at Hérimoncourt, a small village in the Doubs near the Swiss border, began the industrial adventure of Peugeot two centuries ago, before the automaker develops its activities in Sochaux, just a few miles. The factory was established by the family Peugeot in 1833. It then manufactures forged tools. Today, its main activity is the reconditioning of used motor intended to be resold and reused in automobiles. It employs 204 employees. The workshop assembles also engines new, a production in small series. The site is also home to the archives of the group.
What are the projects of PSA?
on The 6th of February, at a central committee business, PSA has announced its intention to stop production in its plant for the recycling of parts of engines. The group decided to consolidate all of this activity in Vesoul, logistics centre global spare parts for PSA, located about 80 kilometers away, in the neighbouring department of Haute-Saone. The transfer of the centre of spare parts is expected in 2020. The archives of the group would remain at Hérimoncourt, as well as the engine workshop new, which is not sufficient to ensure the sustainability of the site. The group has assured to search for a solution for conversion.
PSA is seeking to develop activities of collection, repackaging, resale of used parts, in order to respond to a request of spare parts less expensive. Last week, a spokesperson for the PSA referred to the objective to triple over the next five years, its turnover in the “circular economy”. PSA also highlights the environmental benefits induced. Re-use “saves 80% of material and 50% of energy”, according to a spokesperson. The question of costs, and sensitive, is at the origin of the project of reorganization. But the growth of this new activity could also create jobs.
What is the future for the 200 employees?
The transfer of the business of spare parts to the site of the PSA Vesoul raised the prospect of the closure of PSA Hérimoncourt. The management stated that it is not a closure, but a loss of activity, which should be compensated. It ensures that it will “search” for replacement activities, refuting the term “closure”. The PSA shall also soon discuss with the region’s elected representatives on the future of the site. The management also promises a cover of each of the employees, or to a mutation at Vesoul, which is a transfer to the PSA plant in Sochaux, or to that of Mulhouse, sixty kilometers.
“Blow”, “mess” industrial, “when inadmissible” for “a group that is doing super well”….For employees, trade unions and local elected officials, this announcement is seen as a disaster. Nearly 350 people have protested on Monday, and the mayor of Hérimoncourt, Marie-France Bottarlini, has called for a “day dead city”, the 23 February.
What reaction to Vesoul?
of Course, on the site of Vesoul which employed close to 3,000 employees, the announcement of this transfer has been hailed as “good news” by unions. “It is important for our sustainability, it offers prospects of development”, responded to the AFP Jean-Paul Guy, managing CFTC site. “It is sad to close a site, but we hope to welcome employees of Hérimoncourt that will bring us their skills.”
for A time weakened, PSA Vesoul last year signed an agreement which, without wage compensation, the employees to 35 hours, in exchange for investment commitments. The repatriation of spare parts at Vesoul “streamline” their flow. Today, they “arrive at Vesoul, leave to Hérimoncourt to be sorted and renovated, then come back to Vesoul for shipping”, explained a spokesman for the local PSA with the AFP.
Why Bercy is involved in this case?
By this time, the State is particularly involved to save the industrial sites, their jobs, and maintain a working culture in the territories affected by the deindustrialization. As we saw in the case of the steel mill Ascoval of Saint-Saulve in the north of France, which has finally found a buyer, Altifort. And currently with the factory Ford in Blanquefort (Gironde), Bercy putting now pressure on the sole candidate for the recovery. “I fought for the site of Ascoval. I am fighting for the site of Blanquefort to Bordeaux. I will fight also for the site of Hérimoncourt, and to an industrial activity to be preserved on the site”, hammered Bruno Le Maire, Wednesday in front of the deputies.
For the State, which has made “the reconquest of industrial France” as one of its priorities, it is important to fight for than an industrial activity continues to Hérimoncourt, a historic site of Peugeot. Also very symbolic. “This is where is born the great adventure of Peugeot,” said Bruno Le Maire. “Personally, this folder is in her heart. His goal is to see the industrial future of the site and it will work for a project of recovery,” says one in his entourage. As a reminder, the State is a shareholder of PSA to the tune of 12.2% through Bpifrance, the public investment bank.
