After the announcements of layoff plans from the Auchan and Michelin groups, Objectif Gard is able to reveal that a job protection plan (PSE) has also been announced at Royal Canin in Aimargues. Around a hundred positions are threatened.
For several weeks, the French cat and dog food giant, which has belonged to the American agri-food group Mars Incorporated since 2002, has launched a European consultation procedure with its teams with the aim of reorganizing services.
« Subject to very strong competition, particularly in digital, Royal Canin has seen a significant drop in its sales volumes since the covid crisis and inflation last year. », Explains the group's spokesperson to Objectif Gard. While the industrialist has always experienced continuous growth since its creation in 1968. From now on, it wishes to refocus on its core business: the nutrition of dogs and cats. And will launch a development plan to accelerate sales innovation.
“The order of magnitude is a reduction of around a hundred positions”
« We want to innovate more, regain agility and simplicity in order to move faster and be more effective in the face of this new competition. », Continues Royal Canin.
After a procedure at European level which ended this week. A new consultation phase opens locally, until March 2025. “ A proposal for a job protection plan (PSE) in Aimargues was made to staff representatives », confirms Royal Canin. “ The order of magnitude is the elimination of around a hundred positions, the modification of 70 positions and the commitment to create 50 positions in the next two years. But all this may change between now and the end of the consultation in March 2025. »
This safeguard plan, only in France, will only affect Aimargues. The Cambrai factory in the north of the country is not affected. “ Positions in factories are absolutely not affected, neither in Cambrai nor in Aimargues. This concerns field sales forces and office positions. », Adds the Royal Canin representative. Knowing that priority will be given to voluntary departure as part of negotiating conditions with the unions.
“The management really wishes to reaffirm its attachment to Gard”
This bad news on the employment front for the Gard and the employees of Royal Canin in particular marks a break in the meteoric rise of the company since its creation in 1968 in Aimargues. The group's first factory and its commercial subsidiary originated in Gard. “ All this is not called into question. There are 1,700 employees in France. And since 2018, we have invested 191 million euros in France. ” Royal Canin insists: “ Management really wishes to reaffirm its attachment to Gard and our desire to truly keep this local anchor which is absolutely not called into question by the proposals for change currently being discussed. »
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