Two articles in local newspapers of the day:
In The Telegram:
is one of the most iconic companies Quimper. And oldest with its 320 year history. The faience HB-Henriot, 51salariés, was placed yesterday in receivership by the Tribunal de Commerce of Quimper.
E n three centuries of existence, HB-Henriot has never deviated from its production technique: the hand-painted.
Company living heritage
Here, no decals, no industrial production chain, but making a show of hands peinteuses the decor of any room. Pieces signed by their initials. A fidelity to an art table then, which also entails significant costs of manufacturing cost and therefore deal with the explosion of globalized production at low cost. In recent history, HB-Henriot has almost disappeared. That was in 1983. The company which employed over one hundred employees owed his salvation to his representative to the U.S. market, Paul Janssens. Seven years ago, he had sold the company to a buyer Locmaria quimperlois Pierre Chiron. New collections, rejuvenation range diversification in the field of jewelry, the health of the company remained precarious. Also changes depending on fluctuating dollar export market. But compliance with the "hand-painted" had enabled the pottery of the Odet docks to get the label "enterprise of living heritage."
On sale for two years
late 2007, a social plan 20personnes was downsized to 51 employees including 35 in production. = This was more a mystery for more than two years, HB-Henriot was for sale. The transaction had been close to reaching early 2010. At the end of last year, the city already owns a game of real estate, bought the entire premises sold. An operation of 1, 8M €. € 2.4 million on the entire two slices on 4350 m². In early January, Michel Merle, Director General referred to a "period complicated to manage 'in a stabilization in sales to € 2m (The Telegram, 10 January). He then spoke of "the little erosion tableware linked to the phenomenon of prevailing crisis." Erosion partly offset by the results obtained by the sale of jewelry now accounts for 15% of sales.
"Historically linked to Quimper ..."
With this investment in receivership, (that is to say in a situation of default but not in receivership), HB- Henriot finds himself more than ever in search of a hypothetical buyer. "I hope it will be possible to find a buyer. A city like Quimper desire that the activity of HB-Henriot, with which it is historically linked, and that extends social support is the best possible ", commented yesterday, Bernard Poignant, mayor of Quimper. He mentioned the desire for a "rapprochement between the two companies Quimper pottery so as to be consolidated, "referring to another Quimper faience, FOB, the Faience Breton art. So far these attempts at reconciliation have always failed. Yesterday, we were not able to join the leadership of the pottery.
; Jacky Hamard
In western France:
Faience HB Henriot : how to avoid breakage?
Placed in receivership, the company continues to live. What are the solutions to save jobs and skills?
The reasons for the failure
activity How labor can she survive in Europe today face competition from countries with low labor costs? That's the difficulty encountered by HB Henriot. Hand-painted how can it compete economically against the Chinese or industrial production? The current team has created lines of high value with limited need for labor. Such as jewelry. But it was not enough. The new economic model must prove itself.
A receivership
Given the financial situation of the company, Pierre Chiron, the owner, has asked the commercial court to pronounce a receivership. Quimper judges have accepted this solution. It allows freeze the debts of the company: some vendors, but more importantly, the State through the tax and social contributions. Bank debt would be minimal. Now is an administrator, Ms. e Sophie Gautier, who manages the company. Continuous production. The store remains open. The 51 employees are still working.
A recovery possible?
Now, the administrator will issue a call for nominations to find a buyer. We know that in previous months, many investors (thirty) studied the folder. Today, it could be 4, 5 or 6 interested in the recovery. In court then choose the offer which can at best reconcile the maintenance of employment and the sustainability of the company. An equation that is not easy to solve.
How good is business?
HB Henriot no longer owns the building that houses its activity in the neighborhood Locmaria. Pierre Chiron had sold the building. A private developer had expressed interest. Concerned about urban development in this location, the city has paid for acquiring the whole. Cons rent paid by the company to the community. Physical assets can be summed up in a stock, a business and clientele. This is not negligible. Most importantly, HB Henriot is a household name, even and especially abroad. The know-how of employees, the latest (jewelry) is a real potential that may interest an investor. "This is not an empty shell" says Michel Merle, the director general.
A burst of potters?
is one of the dreams of Bernard Poignant, mayor, leading to reconciliation between the two Quimper faience (see elsewhere). HB Henriot and Art Faience Breton ... Three years ago, came close to achieving a reconciliation. The current crisis may revive the momentum? It's hard to believe. It's a whole industry suffers. Revive momentum in this context is difficult. Today, beyond the economic issue, politicians will need to address, urgently, on ways to assist at the crockery. Presence, proposals, prospects. How else face a sector emblematic of a tradition? Especially since the takeover candidates will be sensitive to this climate.
, Jean-Pierre Le Carrou
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