Paris (AFP)

In full preparation with Emmanuel Macron for his future government, the new Prime Minister Jean Castex, visited Saturday afternoon on the research and production site of semiconductors of the X-FAB France group in Essonne, a society "very symbolic" of its objectives.

After a visit to the Elysée Palace to discuss with the Head of State the composition of the future government, Jean Castex went to the site of this company located in three municipalities: Corbeil-Essonnes, Le Coudray-Montceaux and Ormoy , for his first official outing as head of government, since his appointment the day before.

Arrived around 3:45 p.m. on the site, he exchanged with the managers and employees of this company, and visited the production chain. X-FAB is an "industrial company" "very symbolic of the current situation and our goals", he explained, because it was "impacted by the health crisis" and that it is "extremely exposed to international competition ".

He insisted on "investing in training and in the production tool", which will allow this company in difficulty to pass the stages that are before it. (...) It will undoubtedly take measures to ensure its competitiveness, and there it is necessary that the State accompanies it ", he continued.

The head of government also emphasized "integration into business and through economic activity", and "concerted action by communities with the state". "We need the State (...) but a State that knows how to position itself", with a "strategy at the national level and the search for an operational solution in partnership with local elected representatives".

"This is a good example of what is before us," said the Prime Minister, who is preparing the recovery plan wanted by Emmanuel Macron, when he arrived. He was welcomed by several elected officials, to whom Jean Castex indicated to be "a man of the territories". The deputy Cédric Villani, also present, described as a "remarkable" choice of the Prime Minister this visit to "a high place of innovation".

X-Fab presents itself as one of the world leaders in semiconductors, specialized "in semiconductor technologies with analog / mixed signals". The site is located in three municipalities: Corbeil-Essonnes, Le Coudray-Monceaux and Ormoy.

Its customers come from the automotive sector, industry, medicine and mobile communication.

The company had bought in late 2016 the French semi-conductor manufacturer in difficulty Altis Semiconductor.

X-FAB, a European company registered in Belgium and listed on Euronext in Paris, has around 3,900 employees and has a total of six production sites: three in Germany, one in France, one in Malaysia and one in the United States. Its production capacity is around 94,000 silicon wafers per month.

Its 2019 revenue was $ 506.4 million, down 14% from 2018.

"The group's boss only learned about the visit this morning" but "it's a positive surprise," said Thomas Hartung, the group's chief marketing officer, who was contacted by phone.

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