Rennes (AFP)

Renault management has announced the signing of a protocol for resuming activity on the Fonderie de Bretagne site, in Caudan in Morbihan, "after 40 days of shutdown".

"A protocol for resuming activities was signed after 40 days of shutdown," said management in a statement released Friday evening.

"Renault Group confirms that it is committed to supporting Fonderie de Bretagne until the takeover by a buyer by discussing volumes, investments and diversification on the basis of an industrial project for the future", according to management , who adds: "these subjects will be the subject of a new discussion in September with the social partners of the Fonderie de Bretagne".

Moreover, Renault, as announced on Wednesday, confirms that it is committed "to increasing the production volume in 2021, by increasing it from 19,000 to 21,000 tonnes in a full year, an increase of 10%".

The group also specifies that "nine days of negotiations as well as that of today (Friday, editor's note) will be remunerated over the period of 40 days of shutdown of the site".

The position of the unions was not known Friday evening on this memorandum of understanding announced by the management.

Until now, employees are asking to remain in the Renault group and the return to Caudan of production volumes relocated abroad.

Renault announced on March 11 the sale of the plant.

Heir to the Forges d'Hennebont, created in 1860, the Fonderie de Bretagne has been established in Caudan since 1965, where it employs around 350 people.

© 2021 AFP