Economy: in Mayenne, these companies debated the differences between France and

What are France's strengths and weaknesses from an economic point of view, compared to Germany? This is the question on which five Mayenne companies debated, Thursday December 19, 2024, at Quarante, in Laval (Mayenne).

This economic conference closed the city's German season, launched to celebrate 50 years of twinning between Laval and the German city of Mettmann. It was hosted by Patrice Moyon, journalist in the economics department of West France, and had a choice spectator: the German Ambassador Stephan Steinlein.

On the good side for France, the five companies, some with their headquarters in Germany (Wilo, Mann + Hummel, MoldTecs) and others with factories across the Rhine (Gys and Gruau) are clear: “Our colleagues appreciate our agility, the fact that we can adapt to market changes,” points out Olivier Minaud, from Wilo.

Strengths and weaknesses

To the point that at MoldTecs, “the Research and Development department is located with us, in France, because our culture is positive to face transformations”, points out Pascal Cribier. Because, among the Germans, “it’s absolute rigor, testifies Hubert Callerot, from Gys. But what also means that we complement each other very well. »

But, on the weak side, France has “less the culture of the industry”, the charges are there “higher”, the country is “too centralized”, underline each other… Before finding a common observation: the two countries “play in the same team, for European success”, summarizes Xavier Aumonier, from Gruau. And this against opponents who are rather “the United States or China”, underlines Christophe Guyomard, of Mann + Hummel.