The serious expression of the Minister of Economy and of the Minister delegated to Industry, the closed faces of the local elected officials around them and the visible concern of the employees, on strike outside, say a lot about the heavy climate in which we are immersed Sanofi factory in Lisieux (Calvados), this Monday 14 October 2024. The main production site of Doliprane welcomes with uncertainty and distrust the plan to sell the famous analgesic and antipyretic (and the hundreds of non-prescription drugs from Sanofi) to the American investment fund CD&R, for 15 billion dollars. Antoine Armand, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial Sovereignty, as well as Marc Ferracci, Minister delegate for Industry, met the unions this Monday and visited the factory.
“If the transfer takes place, we will ask for strong and intangible guarantees, accompanied by possible penalties and sanctions,” Antoine Armand states firmly. “There will be no myopia. We will ensure that the Lisieux site is maintained. » Reassuring for the 260 employees (up to 280 depending on the period)? At a local level the answer is unanimous: no.
“There is an appearance of taking a position on the part of the State, but we want the facts. I have already suffered, personally, from being in a company bought by a fund. There had been social disintegration,” complains Frédéric Debève, central delegate of the CGT union at Opella Healthcare international (the Sanofi subsidiary that produces non-prescription medicines). The trade unionist’s fear, unconvinced by the conversation with the ministers, is “that Doliprane will be manufactured elsewhere. We don’t cost much compared to what we carry, but there are places where it would cost even less. It’s the buyer who decides.”
“I don’t know if the state has enough resources to negotiate. An investment fund is worrying. We are talking about 15 billion euros. Lisieux is a pinhead. »
Sébastien Leclerc, mayor (LR) of Lisieux
This Monday, this latest tense discussion is perceptible on all levels. In the ferocious “this is not Sanofi’s press briefing” addressed by Antoine Armand to a Sanofi manager who intruded on statements praising the company’s project. Even in the speeches of local elected officials. Jérémie Patrier-Leitus, MP (Horizons) for the constituency, already speaks of a “difficult and trans-party struggle”. And slip, in front of the employees: “We cannot have a President of the Republic who wants health sovereignty and lets Doliprane go to foreign investors. »
The mayor of Lisieux (LR), Sébastien Leclerc, wonders: “I don’t know if the state has enough assets in hand to negotiate. An investment fund is worrying. We are talking about 15 billion euros. Lisieux is a pinhead. » And everyone is demanding the immediate implementation of the Montebourg decree, allowing the State to impose strong guarantees or even cancel the transfer.
“Guaranteed” work for Sanofi, “an objective” for the Minister of Industry
Before being taken over by the minister, two managers from Sanofi and Opella had time to show their optimism: “We have chosen a partner to develop Opella and be more effective in the face of British and American competition. Opella will remain French and the jobs will be guaranteed. Lisieux is the most competitive Doliprane production site in the world. »
The factory expansion works are also being maintained (20 million euros, supported by Sanofi) to produce 140 million more boxes per year and close to 400 million boxes per year. Not a guarantee of lasting commitment in the eyes of some: “It’s like a home. We redo the door and windows to sell it better later”, explains Frédéric Debève of CGT.
In a city marked by painful episodes of industrial closures (that of the packaging machine manufacturer Sidel had caused a stir in 2023 with around a hundred layoffs following a reorganization of the group), the changes in the shareholding immediately imply a great mistrust. “We have the impression that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The state must be more firm. The ministers talk about capital participation. YES ? NO? How high? We need clarity”, urges the socialist deputy of Calvados Arthur Delaporte. The government is in discussions with leaders. When asked if jobs will be guaranteed, Marc Ferracci responds: “It’s an objective. »Not a guarantee, apparently.
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