Paris (AFP)
In full containment, companies had adapted to mass produce masks, hydroalcoholic gel or respirators, sometimes offering them or selling them at cost price. At a time of recovery, what becomes of this "war effort" in the private sector?
Masks: towards mass marketing
In the textile industry, mobilized first to provide caregivers - often free of charge -, production capacities have increased: with the widespread use of masks, companies are aiming for sustainable mass marketing.
"A market is created", recognizes Charles Odend'hal, boss of the Norman firm Lécuyer, manufacturer of elastic bands which now produces surgical masks and soon FFP2.
The company ordered seven automated machines: "These are heavy investments, between 300,000 and 600,000 euros" each, says Odend'hal, referring to a sale price of around 35-39 cents per mask (surgical). He also relies on "personalized washable masks" with company logos.
Textile producer Tenthorey says it is still feeling the market but is also counting on customizable items - it has already received the large order from a cruise line.
The industrial group Chargeurs daily manufactures more than a million reusable masks but aims at a rate of 15 million per week "within ten days" and "continues to hire", assured Friday its CEO Michaël Friborg on France Info.
The manufacturer of elastic bands and cords Gauthier-Fils now primarily supplies mask fasteners, renouncing to satisfy certain orders from regular customers in the clothing industry.
In luxury goods, Saint-Laurent, Balenciaga, Gucci and Brioni (Kering group) continue to produce surgical and non-surgical masks; Louis Vuitton (LVMH) still manufactures fabric masks reserved for its employees, nursing homes and public services.
Freezing: industrial production is accelerating
Spirits giant Pernod Ricard has so far supplied 2.5 million liters of pure alcohol worldwide to make hydroalcoholic gel, producing 775,000 liters of gel itself: these initiatives are continuing with no scheduled end. "These volumes are donations," insists a spokesperson.
On three sites dedicated to perfumes, LVMH has produced 360,000 liters of gel since mid-March, offered to hospitals or public operators; from Monday, this production was reduced (12,000 liters / week), only intended for internal needs. Hermès also continues to produce them.
For many manufacturers, the time has come for mass marketing - with regulated prices. In the detergent specialists, the factories are running at full speed.
Likewise in the chemical industry: around thirty groups in France have adapted their production equipment to make gel, "further increasing their capacity" for deconfinement, according to France Chimie. Currently, the sector produces 400,000 liters per day more than before the health crisis ... and 100,000 more than in early April.
The cosmetics sector has mobilized: according to Febea (Federation of Beauty Companies), around fifty companies (out of 350 members) have modified their production lines to manufacture hydroalcoholic solutions, taking advantage of exemptions valid up to September 1st.
Nine factories in France - and 28 in total worldwide - of the giant L'Oréal produce hydroalcoholic gel. They first delivered hospitals, health services and distribution employees, before integrating this product into the catalog of its brands to market it "to the general public". L'Oréal intends to have produced a total of 5.7 million liters by the end of June, of which 2.8 million will be "donated".
Today, cosmetic companies account for around a third of French production of hydroalcoholic gel. If three quarters wish to continue, warns Febea, "the economic logic will ask to arbitrate", especially for weakened VSEs.
Financially weakened companies could favor their usual production, with more lucrative margins than gel at regulated price - for example professional products for hairdressers at the time when salons reopen.
Nearly accomplished mission of "10,000 respirators"
Air Liquide promised to manufacture 10,000 respirators to help hospitals as part of a industrial consortium comprising PSA, Valeo and Schneider Electric.
The PSA factory in Poissy, which produces the mechanical body of devices then delivered to Air Liquide, has assembled more than 7,500 out of 8,500 planned - a goal it expects to reach before the end of May, which will mark the end of its mission. . Schneider Electric will produce specific tips until the end of May.
Air Liquide maintains a daily rate of around 400 assembled respirators, and has already delivered more than 5,000. If the industrial consortium "is not intended to last", the company assures that it will continue to adapt its production to demand.
At the same time, the French subsidiary of the American Resmed (medical technologies) will continue "as long as there is demand" for its production by 3D printing of respirator fittings, offered to hospital departments, after having planned to deliver 5,000.
© 2020 AFP