The 130 employees of Valti, a producer of seamless steel tubes, were warned on Wednesday December 11 by the manager, François Martin, that the company, based in Montbard (Côte-d’Or), had found no buyer. Last September, the metallurgical factory requested the Dijon commercial court to appoint an ad hoc agent who launched a “prepack transfer” procedure, a restructuring procedure intended to facilitate the transfer.
Bought by the German investment fund Mutares in 2022, Valti was finally taken over by François Martin, the president to whom it had entrusted management, in January 2024. “The group swept aside everything in its path as it did elsewhere. This type of takeover operation is a real financial racket led by predators who know nothing about the industry» explains Franck Chevesson, the CGT delegate from Valti. Contacted by L’Usine Nouvelle, Valti management did not respond to our questions at the time of publishing these lines.
Supplier to the bearing markets in the automobile, mechanical and oil industries, the company was faced with the deterioration of these outlets, losing momentum. “We saw that we were going into the wall so we alerted the state services but nothing was done. We were told that this was a private matter.» regrets the union delegate.
130 employees waiting
In the absence of a buyer, the 130 employees are now waiting for the cessation of payments which should occur within a few weeks. “1.5 left million in the coffers, so we are awaiting the liquidation which should take place between January 15 and February 15» estimates Franck Chevesson. However, while waiting for this deadline, employees continue to produce. “Upon learning of our situation, customers wanted to stock up. We were blackmailed with December salaries, on the condition of resuming production. The employees did it, because they are serious to the end» specifies Franck Chevesson.
In the absence of a PSE due to lack of resources, employees, like local elected officials, hope to find reclassifications in the Montbard territory, but the unions are waiting to see to believe it.
