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The soil will benefit from the wave "Made in France"

Regional producers of France chasing European labels. On 20 March the European Commission awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in sea salt. "This is great news that we have awaited for a long time," says Gregory Pitard, president of the Association for the promotion of artisanal salt (Aprosela). To date, 191 French products – and some 375 wines – benefit from a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI, a total of 1092 products. And forty cases are still awaiting a decision from Brussels, whose Livarot, mussels from Bouchut, Camembert de Normandie, chestnuts from Ardèche, rillettes of Tours or the Montbéliard sausage. "Producers voluntarily impose new constraints in their manufacturing process to protect their knowledge against usurpation and imitation," says the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO).

European labels have not only a protective role. "Over time, the IGP is a business advantage," said the president of the Aprosela. In fact, 42.3% of French people think that promoting products "Made in France" should be a priority in the presidential campaign, according to a study site Testntrust. "The geographic origin of a product is an important choice for consumers, although it is difficult to measure its impact," says Jean-Louis Benassi, director of the inter Unicid ciders. A view shared by Alexis Martinod Savoîcime director, representing the Tomme de Savoie. "Achieving the required level of quality has a cost that justifies the eyes of our customers, a sales price sometimes better than others," said he. For the INAO, "buying a local product is often a militant act because, in the spirit of the French, it provides a livelihood for local channels, or even a region where the context is sometimes difficult, as the Lozere or the Ardeche. "

Europe also protects Chinese garlic …

With these labels, producers sometimes enjoy support from the regions or departments to complete their development projects. Chain of Tomme de Savoie, for example, spends an annual budget of 25,000 euros to research. Regional producers can expand their markets. "Our products are particularly relevant to retailers," says Franck Pernot du Breuil, president of the inter Fraise du Périgord. In recent years, retailers have expanded their range by playing the card of the soil. Like with its Carrefour brand Reflets de France, or E. Leclerc Our Regions of Talent.

"Retailers often do not put forward our signature Fraise du Périgord because they want to promote their own brands," says Franck however Pernot du Breuil. "As a result, consumers may not know these labels and the qualitative approach they impose on our business." The boost from the European Union can also lead to unexpected setbacks. Last October, Brussels has angered producers of French, Italian and Spanish by registering as a PGI Chinese garlic Jinxiang Da Suan, facilitating the coup its import and marketing in Europe. Meanwhile, in France, smoked garlic Arleux still waiting for the distinction.

Quality labels and home: how to find

In France, nearly one in two farmers engaged in an official sign identifying the quality and origin. In 2010, these signs represented a turnover of 19 billion euros in the first market, according to INAO, which recalls the specifics of these signs guaranteed and recognized by the State: …… ..

• The designation of origin (AOC) means a product including all stages of manufacturing (production, processing and preparation) are made according to know-how in the same geographical area. For example, the St. Nectarios can not be manufactured in only part of the Auvergne from milk from the area.

• The designation of origin (PDO) is the European equivalent of the AOC. The name of a product is protected throughout the EU. Products that have earned this distinction, there is Chablis, Roquefort, Brie de Meaux, olive oil from Corsica or Bresse chicken.

• The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is a product whose characteristics are related to the geographic location at which occurs at least its production or processing according to well defined conditions. The ravioli of Dauphine, the Camargue rice and Bayonne ham are among the 107 products that have obtained the PGI in France.

• The traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) is a European label that protects a traditional recipe. To date, no French product holds this sign, which was however awarded Serrano ham or Gueuze beer. The farmed mussels and Emmental filed an application with the European Commission in 2006 and 2011.

• The Red Label is a sign that French refers to products with higher quality compared to other similar products, thanks to their conditions of production or manufacture. This is awarded to agricultural and food products such as smoked salmon, chicken, cheese or sausage.

• Organic farming (AB) production method ensures environmentally and animal welfare. The rules regulating the organic production method are the same throughout Europe, and imported products are subject to the same requirements.  

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Fuel: rising employment pummel

What relationship between soaring pump prices and unemployment? According to economist Etienne Wasmer, Professor at Sciences Po Paris, of high fuel prices could deter some French to take a job: "Rising fuel prices, draping in the cost of traveling between home and work, could have a negative effect on employment. "

Difficult to say how many people are in this case. But it is possible to draw a sketch of the ideal victim of rising fuel prices. "It affects rather low wages, those who have little hope of earning more by working away," says Régis Bigot, Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (documentary credit). In sum, the French low-skilled, paid at minimum wage, usually working part time.

Jack Daniel's looking for acquisitions

The owner of Jack Daniel's is in better shape than ever. Not only are sales of Tennessee whiskey, the fifth alcohol brand in the world after Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Bacardi and Absolut, are distributed in the U.S., but exports and accelerate the sales of other brands of Brown-Forman, whose Finlandia premium vodka and tequila El Jimador, is still growing as fast.

In total, the U.S. group Brown-Forman is getting ready to buckle on April 30 its 2011-2012 fiscal year with sales up 4% on a comparable basis compared to last year, when they reached 3.4 billion dollars. Operating profit is expected to jump by 8% (855 million last year). "In this sector, where the top ten players realize only 25% of the world, the race for size is not necessarily the best strategy, says Le Figaro Paul Varga, his boss. With margins generated by the sale of spirits, medium-sized groups can succeed. "Listed on Wall Street, the group founded in 1870, whose heirs hold 175 two-thirds of the voting rights, is somehow anti -Pernod Ricard. The French, whose objective is to steal the place of Diageo spirits market, multiplies decade mega-acquisitions: Seagram, Allied Domecq, Absolut. He expects to have reduced its debt to pursue the quest for external growth.

A group without debts

The U.S., he does not caress such dreams of grandeur, seeming satisfied with his seventh place in the world rankings, just ahead of the Italian Campari. Its leaders and family shareholders are vigilant, however. They not only take care not to fall prey, but they remain on the lookout for acquisition opportunities all medium.

This is the group's strategy since Prohibition. From 1920 to 1933, Brown-Forman was one of four U.S. companies authorized to produce alcohol for medical use. He took the opportunity to redeem distilleries … Virtually no debt, it now has a debt capacity estimated at 4 billion. "We will add more vodka brands to expand our portfolio, especially in entry and mid-range," said Paul Varga. The skipper, who wishes to expand in Central and Eastern Europe in this segment precludes a "no comment" to questions about his possible interest in Sobieski vodka for sale by the Franco-Polish Belvedere ( Marie Brizard, William Peel cash advance loan…).

France, emerging country

Brown-Forman, confident in the potential of the worldwide whiskey category, is also interested in acquisitions of brands of scotch whiskey and irish, based on barley, while Kentucky bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys are composed of 51% corn.

He finally target acquisitions enabling it to accelerate the internationalization of its flagship brand Jack Daniel's. Redemptions of Finlandia (2000) and El Jimador (2007) enabled him to acquire distributors in Central and South America. The group now has distribution subsidiaries in ten countries. What less dependent on its partnerships with competitors where it does not have the critical size. In most cases, as in France, he confided to the marketing of its Bacardi bottles. Then he realized in 2001 over three quarters of its sales in the U.S., this market last year represented only 45% of its turnover.

Outside the U.S., Brown-Forman does not fight on the same land as Diageo and Pernod Ricard. "Our emerging markets are different from those of our European competitors, says Mark McCallum, commercial director of the group. We continue to build on the country they regard as mature, with the aim to gain market share in France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. "However, China and Brazil, the group sets objectives in the medium and long term. "To impose on the Chinese market today is expensive. And the risk of counterfeiting is high. As Diageo and Pernod Ricard are not fighting, we prefer to go elsewhere, "said Paul Varga, who nevertheless seeks to buy a brand of Baiju, the more alcohol sold in the country

.

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HP leverages its printers to revive his PC

This is the first major policy decision announced by Meg Whitman, CEO of HP since September. PC and printer divisions of the group will be merged, as the company said Wednesday.

Since arriving at the head of the company, Meg Whitman will finally been consistently good the consequences of the announcement in August by his predecessor, Leo Apotheker. The latter had then referred to the release or surrender of HP's PC division. Which cost him his job and has had a disastrous impact on group sales. During the last quarter of HP – ended Jan. 31 – Sales of the division plunged 18% in volume and its revenues fell 15%. At the same time, the printer division saw sales fall by 7%. Combined, the two product divisions of the group will represent half of total HP revenue (127 billion). The other portion going mainly to dynamic two divisions: services and servers.

Since September, the world's number one PC had to swallow a few snakes. In particular, see Apple proclaim everywhere the last quarter, he had sold "more PCs that HP iPad". Although the difference is played with one digit after the comma, the comparison is no less painful for HP, which more conspicuous by its absence in the segment of tablets. Worse, Chinese Lenovo continues to gain market share and HP could double by the end of the year payday loan no faxing.

Reduce costs

In the last quarter of 2011, the worldwide market share from HP in the PC fell to 16%, while Lenovo has risen to second place with 14% market share. In one year, the gap between the two groups was reduced by 6 points. But the U.S. does not intend to cede its global leadership without a fight.

Todd Bradley, appointed to head the new entity, will have the burden to reinvigorate PC sales and reverse in printers. HP also aims to achieve further cost reductions through this merger. Savings could indeed be generated in the supply and marketing of equipment. While the line between professional and individual equipment fades, it becomes increasingly important to industry players to establish their brand. This allows to charge prices a bit higher, as does Apple. A point particularly important that the owner of HP has already said a return of the group on the market shelves were not excluded.

The announcement of the reorganization was moderately popular with Wall Street. At the opening, the title has sold 2.23%. Todd Bradley, former head of Palm, is known to cause the redemption of Palm in 2010 by HP for $ 1.2 billion. Instead, Vyomesh Joshi, head out of the printer division, was reputed to have doubled the operating margin for this division.

Roses Delbard change hands

The roses will bloom again next year in the nursery Delbard. But the vast area of ​​600 acres in Malice (Allier) will have changed hands once again. The history of the empire built by George Delbard in the 1930s, long and consists of garden land production, has not been smooth sailing.

Outlets have been closed or sold, and the Commercial Court of Montluçon decide Monday the fate of the production unit Delbard nurseries of roses and fruit trees. Two bids were reviewed for the company Friday, went into receivership 18 November 2011 and followed since by the administrator Gregory Wautot. One meets Henry and Arnaud Delbard, son and grand-son of the founder, who plan to invest 650,000 euros and keep 54 of 122 employees.

The competing offer comes from Muriel Devoucoux, founder of the company Nurseries Tronçais, associated with the Targa Capital funds. It plans to invest an equivalent amount and retain 51 jobs. "This is more likely. It offers the most sustainable for Delbard, which enjoys a solid reputation, but whose production systems and marketing must be reviewed by a specialist in horticulture, "says a close case.

This experience is most needed to the current owners, the family Torck, which took the entire capital in 2005 from the hands of fund IDI and Henri Delbard. The latter was for seven years in charge of horticulture at LVMH, owner of Delbard, to try to translate his techniques of roses to the vineyards of Moët-Hennessy. The failure was at the height of the ambition of Torck, founder of the brand family clothing Camaïeu. Jean-Pierre Torck was the top spot with its sign of Delbard garden, where roses were marketed its own. He appointed a former Leroy Merlin CEO, responsible for modernizing and growing network of stores very disparate. Within two years, the number of garden centers to the iconic red-and yellow rose has doubled. Delbard has owned up to 35 and counted up to 1,000 employees.

Strategy too expensive

This strategy proved too costly. The Torck invested 80 million euros. In addition, "other garden centers, nursery clients Delbard sanctioned policy Torck, which came to compete directly," says one expert. The nursery has seen sales decline, from 8.7 million in 2008 to 7.4 million euros in 2011.

In 2010, the family Torck has agreed to sell 20% stake in the nursery, deficit, Nalod's group, which operates garden centers around Saint-Etienne. Especially, the latter took over the distribution brand, 14 garden centers and the website Delbard. Today's has 17 stores Nalod Delbard own, in 40 free.

Since last summer, the Torck no longer have any stores. The most emblematic, Tannery Wharf in Paris, was converted into store decoration. Despite this withdrawal, the Torck could not keep Delbard roses in their garden.

Paris: a triplex to 46 million euros in sales

A record. Triplex of 780 m2 in the heart of the capital is on sale for 46 million euros. With 60,000 euros per square meter, this is the first time a well as expensive is listed in Paris. This luxury apartment, located 42, avenue du Président-Kennedy in the sixteenth district, was inhabited in the early 1960s by the legendary couple of French cinema, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider. Overlooking the Seine, in an upscale neighborhood of the capital, it boasts an unrivaled location.

Some parts of the apartment are furnished in a modern style. Photo Credits: Paris West Sotheby's International Realty

The president does not speak enough employment

Rarely have there been a fear of unemployment too high (one third of the French fear of being unemployed in the coming months) coincide with proposals also limited in terms of job candidates in the presidential election.

Apart from generation contracts (with uncertain effects) of Francois Hollande, antidélocalisation VAT (which will particularly benefit the jobs are not exposed to international competition) by Nicolas Sarkozy, or the prohibition of redundancies (fantastic in a global economy ) by Jean-Luc Melenchon, the impétrants at the Elysee do not shine with the inventiveness of their proposals. Everything happens as if in fact the only social issue of this campaign was beginning to worry about the plight of factory workers in difficulty: Lejaby, Petroplus, Photowatt, ArcelorMittal? to name only those "lucky" to one of the 20 hours. So much so that outgoing President announced that a buyer or a command Unexpected unexpected, the Socialist candidate responds by passing a law requiring an industrial facility to the closing yield. Syndrome Jospin, powerless anger of employees in 2002 by Lu who accused him of doing nothing to save them, has been there?

These employees are far from being the most deprived. From large groups who fulfill their obligations reclassification or revitalization (and often sign large checks start), they are part of the iceberg. Registration for employment center after a redundancy no longer represent each month that 2.9% of input patterns. Contrary to popular belief, their numbers fell 3.4% in 2011 to 14,000 per month. All also receive a contract security professional (CSP), ensuring a strengthened support and 100% of their net salary for a year.

This double "deluxe treatment" (media and procedural) for the CSD and interim would like to also benefit. First variable adjustment of the workforce in the companies they represent one third of entries each month at employment center (or 150,000 people) and are not entitled to a CSP in 15 experimental and employment areas. And, in an envelope limited to less than 20,000 contracts this year. 5 times less than for retrenched when they are 10 times more each month to bear the brunt of the crisis. In factories or elsewhere?

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SMEs, weak link of French exports

Although occupies an important place in the French economy, SMEs – firms employing fewer than 250 employees – are content to play second fiddle to export. They represent less than 18% of sales generated abroad by France, while firms with more than 1,000 employees generate 39% of its amount. And the number of exporting SMEs has been declining in recent years. It took until 2010 for companies embarking on exports (28,900) are more numerous for the first time in eight years than abandoning international markets (26,000). This weakness is particularly disturbing that the French trade deficit worsened to reach a record 69.6 billion euros in 2011.

A series of measures to encourage partnerships

"Entrepreneurial culture does not lead French SMEs to turn spontaneously to export, unlike Germany and Italy where entrepreneurs naturally think to foreign markets to grow their business," says Jean-François Roubaud, president of the CGPME, in a draft opinion "Winning the battle of SMEs with export" submitted today to the vote of the members of the Economic, social and environmental.

To give new impetus to French exports, Jean-Francois Roubaud offers a series of measures ranging from improved business support for encouraging partnerships between large companies and SMEs. It recommends that regions create a "single window for export involving all stakeholders who can help companies" or "Export House" by drawing on the example of Lille. SMEs also need to have information "relevant and immediately usable" to enable them to quickly understand what are the growth markets and declining and who are their competitors. Inspired by the Swedish, France could adopt a "true diagnostic tool" to identify firms capable of exporting.

Billing policy

Despite efforts in recent years, the president of the CGPME observed that coordination between the public can be improved. He believes that the financial institution Oséo public must become "the main contact for funding" by resuming activity insurance prospecting Coface. This insurance allows SMEs to finance their business development and to be compensated in case of failure. Ubifrance under the Ministry of Economy should clarify its public service mission and its activities in competition with chambers of commerce. This would save public money. Its billing policy is also to be revised. Latest proposal: to encourage the economic patriotism of large groups, governments are encouraged to vary the amount of aid awarded to international contracts won by the largest corporations based on the part of activities carried out by SMEs.

Shanghai will free property sales

Faced with a collapse of its real estate market, Shanghai intends to relax its measures restricting purchases. According to the Shanghai Security News, the city will soon authorize the purchase of a second residence for people who had lived there at least three years. An acquisition until formally excluded for "non-local" to curb speculation and soaring prices. "This should push up sales of real estate 20% to 30% in Shanghai, said Jack Gong, an analyst at Jefferies Group Inc.. Hong Kong, but that does not mean that the central government also intends to implement such measures to relax. "

Striving to deflate the housing bubble, a source of social unrest and destabilization of the economy, Beijing has implemented since 2010 on measures to limit credit and the number of apartments that individuals can buy.

Pillar of growth

But today, the Chinese real estate sector was found particularly affected by a drop in demand as prices began to decline, causing a wait of many potential buyers.

A statement from the National Statistics Office, the property prices in January continued their downward trend in most Chinese cities. Of 70 cities covered by a monthly survey, 48 have seen the price of flats down by the previous month, while it remained stable in 22 others, no increase was noted.

The Chinese government does not seem to want as many concessions. "In the name of fairness and stability, restrictive measures can not be released," said Premier Wen Jiabao in mid-February, ending, after three days, the measures of the city Wuhu in eastern countries, which were to subsidize the purchase of apartments to stimulate activity in the sector.

Always fight against speculation, the Chinese government announced in late January to create a file owners covering 40 cities. This is to prevent wealthy Chinese to circumvent the prohibitions imposed by municipalities to purchase several apartments, increasing acquisitions in different cities.

But the Chinese government also needs to avoid a contraction in the construction sector, a mainstay of the Chinese economy, while it is slowing its growth.

China's central bank announced it would reduce the reserve requirement ratio for banks to release more of their maneuvers to lend, especially first-time buyers who struggle to find housing.

The final closure of Florange looms

"We will put patterns Florange unemployed by taking control of the plant." Edward Martin, representative of the CFDT EWC ArcelorMittal, wants offensive. The occupation of the site, scheduled for tomorrow, is a direct consequence of the extension until 30 June of the closure of two blast furnaces Florange, the last of Lorraine. "The direction we to understand that, barring a miracle, this closure would last all year," says Edward Martin.

For several months, the largest producer of steel has many announcements to reduce its production capacity. Spain, Belgium and France but also Romania and Czech Republic were affected. Today, only the blast furnaces in Liege never reopen. Other closures are for the moment, temporary.

A temporary measure reaffirmed to the minister, Eric Besson

Bourrier Hervé, President of ArcelorMittal France, reaffirmed that "temporary" to Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, last week. Employees such as trade unionists fear yet more than this closing becomes final. The clues that point in this direction are beginning to be numerous.

"A blast furnace is designed to run continuously, says an industry expert. It degrades when it is not the case. "The first blast furnace Florange is closed since June. The second since October. Investment and maintenance are reduced. Some were made late last year but "there is nothing for a month and a half" notes François Pagano, CFE-CGC delegate. "The industrial base is deteriorating, laments Edward Martin. With the cold, some lines broken. "Worse:" The founders began to be reclassified in the group. Leaders do not take it otherwise if they had close Florange. "

The recovery of orders has not changed all that

The recovery of orders failed to revive the plant. Aditya Mittal, CFO of ArcelorMittal, said on publication of results in 2011 that "shipments are much better than the fourth quarter of 2011, but we are still far volumes 2006, 2007 and 2008." What does surprisingly, these years being excellent.

Francois Pagano explains that "the business unit North, including Dunkirk, Florange, Benelux and Germany, recorded 3.7 million tons of orders for the second quarter of 2012 while its production capacity is 3.8 million . So the plants are running at 97% capacity. At this level, it would be possible to reopen Florange to avoid a potential bottleneck. "

Finally, the closure would be consistent with the group's strategy to focus on very large production units in coastline at Dunkirk and Fos sur mer in France and Bremen in Germany Same day payday loans. The justifications for the closure of Liege seem perfectly applicable to Florange. "ArcelorMittal is considering a gain of 56 euros per tonne, which would be credited to the closure of Liege and transfer the production of slabs (Note: raw material for the manufacture of sheet metal) to Dunkirk," says the firm Laplace Council A study commissioned by the Walloon region. The forward gain is identical to Florange: "The leaders explain that ArcelorMittal bring slabs from Dunkirk saves 50 euros per tonne," confirms Francois Pagano.

With increased action "punch", although some have put Florange in the heart of the current election campaign. "Getting a formal commitment of a private company seems complicated," admits to the entourage of Eric Besson. A conclusion which adheres Francois Pagano whose only solution is to "convince Lakshmi Mittal's economic interest Florange".

"Ulcos" or last resort

All actors in the Lorraine steel cite Ulcos project, the acronym for "steel making process at very low CO2 emissions," as salvation for Florange. Launched in 2004, this is a program to find new techniques to produce steel with less carbon dioxide (CO2). Investments for carrying out are huge: 650 million euros! The French government has already pledged 150 million euros of funding. And Brussels could bring 250 million additional. ArcelorMittal leaders have vowed to launch Ulcos, and bring the balance of funding, if EU subsidies are granted.

Except that many obstacles have arisen in recent months. First techniques. The processes developed by Ulcos involve capturing and storing carbon. But experts are beginning to question this technique both for environmental reasons and efficiency.

Then the price of CO2 allowances collapsed in recent months, making plans to reduce CO2 emissions less urgent to implement. And nothing suggests that prices will go up quickly. In difficult economic times, as is currently the case, companies may be reluctant to invest in such technologies if there is no immediate financial implications.

Finally, there is little doubt that ArcelorMittal will decide to raise, or not, Florange on the basis of the only economic criteria. "The management of ArcelorMittal has told us clearly that Florange restarted if the market justifies it, and not only if Ulcos born," stated Michel Liebgott recently, area MP Florange.

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