France/Medef Entrepreneurs' Meeting: Herault bosses speak out in Paris
The Hérault Juridique & Economique / Hérault Tribune covered the REF 2021, on 25 and 26 August in Paris, at the heart of the Hérault employers' association. Here is the first part of the report...
First part of the report with Jean-Marc Oluski, future president of Medef Montpellier, Thierry Lemerle, new regional director of Pôle emploi, and Agathe Boidin, CEO of Pacific Pêche.
he health crisis; aeronautics, metallurgy, food processing, hotels and restaurants. The idea is to place employer leaders in front of a Pôle emploi manager to deal with the issues of job shortages and tensions on the labour market. As we are also working on a sectoral basis with the Region, we will be able to adjust training programmes together.
The recruitment difficulties mentioned by the employers are real, and concern all sectors. Here, wholesale and retail trade, security, and logistics - from heavy goods vehicle drivers to order pickers - are particularly concerned. We can promote concrete actions in these professions, which do not require extensive training.
Another outlet, which receives little media attention, is the Armed Forces. They recruit 40,000 people a year at national level. We are taking a close interest in this pool, which can enable graduates to enter a military profession. »
Thierry Lemerle is also the national leader of Pôle emploi on the maritime sectors and the economy of the sea (including the French Navy), and a correspondent for the Armed Forces.
Agathe Boidin, CEO of Pacific Pêche
"The end of aid means the return to a normal environment
The owner of Pacific Pêche is experiencing her first REF as a new member of Medef Montpellier. "It's always good for a company director to get some fresh air, to listen to lectures on macroeconomics. Even if I was expecting more speeches on the challenges of the end of the crisis, linked in particular to the impact of the increase in transport costs and the difficulties of supply.
Her reaction on the end of aids, made official by Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, on August 25? "It means a return to a normal environment. That's what we want: entrepreneurs don't live on aid. These must remain targeted on sectors that will continue to suffer from the situation. »
Business owners not sufficiently taken into account
According to her, the situation of the companies taken over during the Covid crisis has not been taken into account enough. "I took over Pacific Pêche in August 2020, and could not justify the loss of more than 50% of turnover, while the stores taken over existed well in 2019 and the decline was about 80%! The calculation had to be done on the months of August to October 2020, when stocks were low: there had been no purchases, as the company was then going through a receivership. Bercy's rules should have been more case-by-case, taking into account the history of the business takeover. I am not the only one in this case. Orchestra, La Halle and Camaïeu have experienced the same hazards. »
After the stores reopened, July and August were "two good months". But a threat arises in this fall, with the risk of supply difficulties in fishing equipment. "Production and transport difficulties are increasing, as are the costs of sea containers - up to $18,000 for 40 feet. "In this tense context, Pacific Pêche has already made purchases for 2022, and anticipates rate increases of 10 to 20%, which could be passed on in part to sales prices.
Other news: Pacific Pêche will build its future headquarters and open a new store in the region of Montpellier, by 2023, in a building of about 1,500 m2. We will tell you more soon!
Sale of articles for fishermen, Saint-Gély-du-Fesc. 38 stores, 240 employees, turnover: 40 M€.
Source: www.herault-tribune.com
