The moment, which had been well prepared in advance by management and employees, was important and impatiently awaited. In fact, the last open day was in 2015. And it was a great success, since no less than 550 people responded to the invitation launched by the Smurfit Kappa Group on the Siemco site (established sixty years ago). eight years in Carquefou), Saturday June 15. The company currently has 260 employees, up to 300 including temporary workers. Some are required to work at night, with the site operating in 3×8 shifts.
Forty new employees are trained there each year. In fact, there is no school curriculum providing training in the various specialized trades to master the site’s machines producing cardboard packaging and furniture. One hundred and sixty employees are assigned to the production line and no less than 850 million consumer packages are produced per year.
Those present, including Véronique Dubettier-Grenier, the mayor, accompanied by the town planning assistant, Dominique Anée, were able to enjoy the planned route with the presentation of the new production machine. Philippe Fraud, retired for a year and employed by the company for forty-one years, as well as Gilbert Lemaître, retired who worked for thirty-seven years, including thirty-two years at night, “were moved by the idea of seeing former colleagues again and meeting again on the site”.
Making even more virtuous packaging
Frédéric Wathier, HR Director, took the floor to welcome. A video recalled the welcome day held in 2015, as well as the technique for making corrugated cardboard with corrugations. A second projection clarified the company’s societal approach. The Smurfit Kappa group is in fact committed to reducing packaging waste, with the aim of making it disappear and “to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050”, indicated Emmanuel Rougier, general director.
Then came the awaited moment when Emmanuel Rougier pressed the buzzer in the company of four employees’ children, thus unveiling the new production machine, capable of manufacturing ever more virtuous packaging. Luc Tourniaire, Siemco plant manager, recalled that “this was part of the Oxygène project, making it possible to modernize the production tool. It took nine months of preparation and work,” thanking all employees. Forty-three external companies also worked on the installation.
