factory director defends “difficult” but “necessary” decision

The decision to close the Bléfina site in Villefranche-sur-Saône (Rhône) is necessary, said the factory director on Wednesday on France Inter.

The director of the Blédina factory in Villefranche-sur-Saône in the Rhône defends, Wednesday November 5, on France Intera decision “difficult” more “necessary”after the announcement of the closure of the site. The Danone group announced on Tuesday, November 4, the closure of this infant cereal production site, which employs 117 people.

“It’s a decision that is difficult for all employees, but it is a decision that is necessary,” underlines Timothée Coppéré. “On site, we have not remained idle. We have been investing heavily for more than ten years. We have invested more than 134 million euros, that is six times the site’s annual budget, to try to modernize it and develop new products. But unfortunately, the market continues to deteriorate and even more significantly over the last year”he explains.

“Our top priority now is to support employees”

Timothée Coppéré, director of the Blédina factory in Villefranche-sur-Saône

France Inter

The director points “a drop in the birth rate and a change in eating habits” in Europe, with trends towards less cereals, and “a complex geopolitical and inflationary context” in Africa. The site produces 25% for France, 25% for Europe, and for the rest, exports mainly to Africa.

The announcement of the closure of the site “is a difficult time for us”says the director. The group is committed to “offer them a job at Danone, internally thanks to our industrial network which is quite dense and strong, particularly in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region”he recalls, ensuring that solutions exist in the region.