AT Saint Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), the company Man Energy Solutions, a 100% subsidiary of Volkswagen has been in turmoil since the summer. The main shareholder is preparing to restructure the site and cut seventy-six jobs out of 650 ?. It could even stop the production of PA4-200 engines that equip French nuclear submarines Barracuda (1).
Reminder of Bruno Le Maire
“Since 2019, we have been alerting the various French ministries to this threat”, indicates Richard David, CGT union representative.
Tuesday, January 12, the Minister of the Economy split a letter to the German group to remind it of its industrial commitments in France. “Volkswagen is required to maintain the defense activities and associated industrial capabilities on national territory”, Bruno Le Maire warned.
In a military contract, the industrial manufacturer is required to supply spare parts for thirty years, or “The team dedicated to this Pielstick engine is getting smaller and smaller”, notes the Nazairian trade unionist. ?
Without a response from Volkswagen management, the state could demand the sale of the company for strategic reasons. Rather than stopping production, employees hope “The arrival of a private or public buyer who maintains this historic activity”.
The Man Energy Solutions factory posted a positive 2020 result. Each year, it produces around fifty extraordinary engines, including one to two for submarines. The others equip French nuclear power plants and power stations in Africa or on certain islands.
(1) About thirty of these engines have been sold over the past ten years.
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