New challenges for Arc International
A symbol: the oven that produced crystal Arques was definitely off last month. He had worked for two months last year. Instead, the site of Blaringhem, 7 kilometers from the headquarters of Arques (Pas de Calais), the electrician private Poweo studying the construction of a power plant. No more crystal, Cristal d'Arques now focusing on DIAMAX a new material just developed, 20% less expensive to produce, more robust and resistant to washing dishes.
The group Arc International (Luminarc, Arcoroc, Pyrex) account such innovations to resume growth. In 2009, the company owned 100% by the Durand family has experienced a drop of 14% of its turnover and, after two years of profits, fell into the red.The operating loss reached 26 million euros for a turnover of one billion.
"2009 was an extremely difficult year, said William de Fougi?res, became chairman of the board earlier this year. The tableware are among the first purchases that consumers mediate in times of crisis. And they head towards the products of entry level where our margins are low or even negative. "The decline in activity was particularly strong in Europe, an area served by the plants Arques, reflecting a decline of 25% their activity.Conversely, a recovery was observed in mid-2009 in the production sites of the group in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and China, who are now "all overheated.
This year, Arc International is pursuing a modest growth, mainly driven by emerging countries, with a stable activity in Europe fast cash online. It's objective is a return to financial balance.
As a result, the restructuring will continue on the site of Arques, which has for ten years bleeding Name: numbers are increased from 12 000 to 6 500 people. After two social plans, management plans already one of 400 people redundant at the end of the year. So far, all departures were held without layoffs, mainly by age measures, outsourcing and support entrepreneurship.The decline in activity last year was dampened by a heavy emphasis on partial unemployment, on average four to five days per month per employee.
Fear of social
Staff representatives are again very worried. After a demonstration and three-day strike in early March for wages and work organization, they fear further downsizing.
"For the first time, our President declared in the works the word" dismissal "is concerned Elizabeth Jacques, Associate CFE-CGC. We expect that we announced in May a third redundancy. "
For William of Fougi?res, one thing is certain, "there is no early retirement" as possible. According to him, "improving productivity at Arques is essential in order to regain our competitive product entry level."Meanwhile, the group is studying the possibility of establishing factories in Latin America or Russia.