INDUSTRY. Hard blow for the cycling equipment manufacturer Mavic which closes its historic factory, its production relocated to Romania

A hard blow for the eighteen employees of the Mavic company, which has announced the upcoming closure of its historic factory in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans, in Ain. The famous manufacturer of bicycle rims had been established in the town for almost 60 years. Production will be relocated to Romania.

A definitive closure is announced for the beginning of 2025. Mavic, manufacturer of high-end bicycle wheels, will close its historic factory in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans in Ain.

This equipment manufacturer, which also participated in the heyday of the Tour de France until 2020, has two sites in France, in Épagny-Metz-Tessy, in Haute-Savoie and in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans. The company's headquarters is located near Annecy.

The closure of this aluminum wheel and rim production unit should result in the elimination of around fifteen positions. In order to reduce costs, the company will transfer all of its production to Romania. Mavic, which already produced part of its aluminum rims in this country, has decided to relocate all of its production there. In addition to the 18 jobs at the Ain factory, 15 positions will be eliminated at the Haut-Savoy headquarters.

“We are told Made in France, Made in France, but when it goes to Romania, Made In France is not there. We have the skills, we have everything”deplores Patrick Clertant, employee of the Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans site. A real waste for this qualified operator who is due to retire in five years.

Since 1966, the company with the yellow and black logo has been producing high-end aluminum rims in Ain. The factory was presented as a center of excellence. Up to two million aluminum rims per year leave its workshops. But its history has been punctuated by difficult periods. In 2020, the company underwent legal receivership before its acquisition by the Bourrelier group. A buyout that gave hope to employees. The latter are disillusioned today. The announcement of this closure is a hard blow for the operators of the Indinois site.

“We always had hope that it would restart. But in the end, no,” explains Elisabeth Marie-Mokrane, quality control operator. “We were the last survivors. Twelve operators. I wouldn’t say that it’s the logical continuation of what we experienced, but it’s not far away,” explains Didier Barbaque, versatile operator.

Two years after the cycling boom, linked to Covid, the situation has changed. Sales are plummeting. Mavic recorded a loss of 13 million euros last year. World production is in crisis. The company also faces competition from Asian carbon wheels.

Mavic leaders must make strategic choices to save the brand. For management, this relocation is a question of survival.“We do not see this market segment recovering sufficiently. To sustain Mavic and allow it to return to balance, we must reorganize our industrial structure,” assures the general director, Alberto Morgando.

The critical situation was understood by the unions. Today, they want to fight for the 33 employees who will lose their jobs. “Economically, we have to do something. We are all aware of it. If we have to go through that to save the brand, no problem. But that the laid-off employees leave in good conditions, that's all we can do. request”, explains Jonathan Malassagne, elected CFDT of the CSE.

Negotiations with management are expected to continue until next week. In the absence of an agreement, employees say they are ready to mobilize.