Live News

 

Since Friday, the plant Fralib is occupied by its employees. A situation that is denounced by the president of Unilever France, Bruno Witvoët. "This is unacceptable in a constitutional state, says in an interview in Paris-Today-in-France. Such a coup with hooded individuals armed with baseball bats and batons, it is not of union action, it's a commando! ". The boss of Unilever France claiming the expulsion "immediate and prompt action with law enforcement" employees, has also filed a complaint for "physical threats" from the police. "From fabrications," Olivier replied Leberquier, CGT union. According to the police of Aubagne, intervened at the scene, there would have been no collision.

"Holland must keep its promises"

"Closing a plant is always a very difficult decision, Bruno recognizes Witvoët. But in some cases – including tea bags – we have overcapacity. This is justified in stopping this site ". He said Unilever has taken responsibility in the case of employees of Fralib, accepting "to add additional resources for the revitalization of the local employment" as required by justice. "Funds for creating new jobs has increased from 1 to 1.5 million euros" and "each dismissed employee is entitled to an internal transfer, pay the same conditions, in one of six other plants in France , "he said.

This new twist, the 592nd day of the conflict comes as 80 of the 103 employees still struggle, of 182 initially received their letter of dismissal. At the same time, a moving company came to do a quote on the site, and management proposed the CGT to move out of its local business, or in organizing the escorted access, for reasons of safety concerns, dismantling machinery. A scenario rejected by the union, which wants to keep the tool working on site to implement an alternative plan of recovery of activity.

Given this situation, unions are demanding the intervention of Francois Hollande. During the presidential campaign, President-elect said: "Nothing is done, nothing is guaranteed and if victory comes, I will also be at your side, President of the French Republic, to get your site live, had he launched at a meeting of employees Fralib in Paris in February. "The company is now under the control of the CGT and the Netherlands should keep its promises. His election is a ray of hope, "says Olivier Leberquier. The standoff between employees Fralib and its direction is far from over.

Bad credit payday loan online is an instant solution of the troubles that abrupt with no previous information.

 

This is the latest idea to exonerate Blédina moms give their babies prepared foods. The subsidiary of Danone, France's leading infant nutrition market with 48.6% (against 23.4% for Nestle), will launch next month the first cooked dishes, compotes and other small pots sold in the fresh. Dubbed Blédina Day, this range of twenty-seven references (savory dishes, desserts …) is for toddlers from 4 to 12 months.

It took three years to Blédina and more than 10 million investment to develop these products, manufactured at its plant in Brive (Corrèze). Their launch, first in the large hypermarkets and Monoprix in Paris, will run until 2013. If successful, Europe is already in sight.

Fifty years after inventing the small glass jar, Blédina intends to revolutionize the consumption patterns. The company even provided dedicated refrigerators to hypermarkets, which will be placed in the middle of the radius baby. "We want to find moms who have moved away from these products because of the taste and rally those who have never been consumers with products that are as close as possible to the home-made," says Didier Lamblin, who took the Blédina reins last September. Approximately 30% of mothers are still reluctant to provide any dishes made with their babies and prefer them to concoct a homemade mashed potatoes. In total, more than half of the consumption of children aged 0 to 3 years which is made of non-specific products.

Revive the category

So, even if the French babies are the first consumers in the world of small pots and other dishes cooked (115 kg per year per child), tied with the English, partly because of prior trademarks and the number of active women, the growth potential remains high no fax pay day loan. This market, which weighs 1.2 billion euros (including 85% in supermarkets), has been stagnant for three years after experiencing an average growth of 6 to 7% from 2001 to 2008. He even saw its volumes fall by 3% over the last six months. "We have never experienced such a decline in this market," says Didier Lamblin, which reflects the constraints of purchasing power of French households. The purchase of small pots and other dishes (48% market share) has been most impacted by the economic environment than baby milk (52% market share), considered essential.

There was therefore urgent to revitalize the category. Especially as Nestlé, challenger in France, put the package last year to revive its brand NaturNes. Which enabled him to win a point of market share. "We are optimistic that growth will be as fresh to the radius of up to 25% of the category," said Didier Lamblin.

To convince moms, Blédina has chosen to focus on the naturalness, the culinary virtues and taste. On white background, packaging puts forward the product recipe and origin 100% French ingredients. Blédina also preferred product availability, crisis requires (from 1.69 euro to 3.70 euro reference).  

Another initiative at Danone, Gallia will launch its brand by the end of an economy size baby milk in the form of a bag-in-Box, for the most modest budgets.

ALSO READ:

"Nestlé favorite for the purchase of milk for baby Pfizer

"Danone gives a facelift to its yogurt

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

 

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic

The end of the euro in a diagram, seen by Hermans Hurre

 

The joint complaint of the United States, Europe and Japan against China is not surprising. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has already ruled illegal last summer, Beijing's restrictions on exports of commodities in general. And China's argument that its quota of "rare earths" are intended to "protect the environment and achieving sustainable development" is not fooling anyone.

China, which recorded a trade deficit in February to $ 31.5 billion, supports its industry through subsidies and by keeping its currency, the yuan, at a deliberately undervalued. But at a time when the "Buy European Act", like the "Buy American Act", is invited in the French election campaign, there are concerns of a revival of protectionism in the world.

If one believes the Swiss NGO Global Trade Alert, trade tensions are "at their highest level since the Lehman crisis in 2009" and, since July 2011, "protectionist measures exceeded those due to liberalization three for ". In its latest report on trade barriers, Brussels estimates that European companies "have suffered from a revival of protectionism, especially in emerging countries."

This revival is not just Asia. In Brazil, where growth fell from 7.5% in 2010 to 2.7% last year, the Minister of Finance decided a 30% increase taxes on imported vehicles whose parts are not at 65 % at least "made in Mercosur" (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela) payday loans. The National Confederation of Industry of this country calls for new support measures.

Asia and Latin America in mind

Pretext not to disrupt the balance of payments, while its access to capital markets remains limited, Argentina imposed a series of restrictions "informal" imports: Porsche had to commit to buying wine and oil Argentine olive to bring a hundred cars, and BlackBerry has opened a plant in Tierra del Fuego to continue to sell its mobile phones. More generally, the Mercosur countries have agreed to increase their taxes, up to 35% on all products imported from outside of their block.

At the last WTO ministerial conference in December, its director general, Pascal Lamy, noted that the number of protectionist measures worldwide had increased from 220 in 2010 to 340 in 2011. China has two logical write two MEPs in a recent report: "the temptation of protectionism that conditioning access to its domestic industry to put its head in all new waves of technology (…) and that of the universalist ambitions of foreign market access. "

Certainly, calculates the WTO anti-dumping investigations declined from 213 in 2008 to 153 in 2011. But any return to protectionism today would cost $ 800 billion into the global economy, she warns.

ALSO READ:

"Trade: Japan, Europe and the United States attacked China

"Protectionism" Brussels must respond "

 

17 billion euros in investments, 164,000 jobs directly and 97,000 indirectly. Which to house the mammoth project? Madrid against Barcelona: the contenders are the most powerful cities of Spain … and two eternal rivals, in politics as on the football field.

A funny clásico, fanned by a singular trophy: the U.S. company Las Vegas Sands wants to establish in Spain's largest casino complex on the Old Continent. "Eurovegas" must be the European version of the world capital of the game Six casinos, 36,000 hotel rooms, three golf courses, a 15,000-seat auditorium

.

The figures, astronomical, are salivating entrepreneurs and politicians, while the country is mired in negative growth and an unemployment rate near 23%. The real estate engine "miracle" Spanish is down. Regions and municipalities in crisis seek relays create jobs and tax revenue.

In desperation, local politicians are suitable for all investors games. Left to take a project still vague for a real growth driver. Leaves to forget that five years ago, a similar idea had generated the same enthusiasm in Aragon, before developers do not suddenly reverse.

Barcelona or Madrid? Sheldon Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands, hesitates. After a year of study and 7.6 million euros spent, however, the decision must fall rapidly before the summer, the billionaire promises.

Rebates and exemptions

His communications director, Ron Reese, said the two cities "are tied." The project, said Reese, who will go to that show the more "flexible". The list of requirements is long Adelson as a letter to Santa. His company is seeking exemptions from social contributions and tax rebates. She wants the standards against money laundering to be relaxed to facilitate, she said, remittances players. Besides other applications wackiest, like creating a MBA in the gaming industry, or the lifting of the ban on smoking in rooms.

These requirements seem exorbitant to upset any politician. In Barcelona, ​​we recall that the project needs to attract 11 million visitors. "Quality tourism" believes the President of Catalonia, Artur Mas.

In Madrid, the figure of 260,000 jobs dizzy: it represents half the number of unemployed in the region. The president of the autonomous government, Esperanza Aguirre, has promised to make "all necessary legal modifications, as they do not violate [its] principles."

Demonstration in Madrid

Thousands of people rallied Sunday in the streets of Madrid to the appeal of unions, against labor reform implemented by the government the right to fight against unemployment, the mobilization test before a general strike scheduled for March 29.

The two main Spanish unions, UGT and CCOO, have called for demonstrations in 60 cities in Spain, to protest a reform they deem "unfair and ineffective" and "defense of public services".

Carrying red flags and placards with the words "no budget cuts", "No to social regression", shouting "we will not pay their debts with health and education", thousands of protesters stormed the center Madrid. 

The Conservative government of Mariano Rajoy adopted on February 11 for further reform of labor market flexibility, including lower redundancy payments and measures to stimulate youth employment.

 

Too complicated and too expensive to manufacture. Boeing does not veil the face. The B787 Dreamliner, the first of which came with three years late to All Nippon Airways (ANA) in late September 2011, a program remains at risk and lost.

The device, which has passed through many vicissitudes since its launch, has new technical problems. A "calibration problem between structural elements" of the rear fuselage was discovered during tests carried out in factories in Seattle. Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), admitted that the first 55 Dreamliners already built might be affected by this defect. The Boeing launched an inspection campaign and hopes to address this problem in the "ten to fifteen days." Meanwhile, industrial production ramp-up "is difficult," notes one observer. Boeing has delivered five devices from late September to ANA. Under these conditions, managing to deliver fifteen more by the end of March, as the company hoped the Japanese, is an impossible mission.

Suddenly, the group announced last weekend a radical decision afresh at the industrialization of the B 787 and review its relations with its 50 partners from rank 1 to the successful ramp-up and exit the program losses .

Permutation of managers

"There is no magic formula to improve productivity on these planes. That will come from simplification of production, employment under companions and a review of the supply chain, partner by partner, "said Pat Shanahan, general manager of the development of BCA paydayloan. Boeing is a savings of $ 1 billion. It has not been more forthcoming about how to allocate effort productivity, nor on the calendar.  

He specified, however, that the boss of the program changed. Scott Fancher, who arrived in 2008 to replace the B787 on track, gives way to Larry Loftis, the boss of Boeing 777 it replaces. The switch should allow Boeing to better prepare its "organization for the challenges ahead," said Jim Albaugh. Larry Loftis brings experience in production (lean manufacturing) tested on a mature program, and Scott Fencher, its achievements in the management of a new generation aircraft with Boeing which has made several breaks.

Technology first with the massive use of composite materials (50% against 1% for the B 747). Then outsourcing industry with 70% of manufacturing with major partners in the U.S., Europe and Japan against 21% for the B 777 and 16% for the B 767. Taken to extremes, this model inspired by the automobile industry has shown its limits for a subject as complex as an airplane. Boeing has had to overcome the difficulties encountered by these partners.

For months, the group is considering the future of the Boeing 777 entered service in 1995. His successor, or a modernized 777 B that would heavily loaded with composites have much to learn from failures and successes of the B 787.

Lefigaro.fr – The gap between interest rates of French and German bonds this week hit levels not seen for 20 years (200 bp). French government bonds are they a safe investment?

Philippe Mimran – all depends what you mean by "safe." If this is the sense of repayable loan, the answer is yes. France is able to repay its debts. However, if the sense of an investment that does not generate short-term losses, the answer is no. In other words, the French government bonds are no longer as safe as German bonds. Financial markets expect interest rates continue to rise. This difference of 190 basis points is the same as that between Italian bonds and German bonds in July.The French bonds are more risky than a month ago, European banks sell massively.

Why?

The rules for accounting for government bonds in banks' balance sheets have changed. Until then, when a bank subscribed to an obligation of 100 million euros to 2.5%, it maintained that amount on its balance sheet and collected an annual coupon of 2.5%. And, regardless of the carrying amount of the obligation. Now, if the title is only worth 90 million euros, it instantly suffer a loss of 10%. The balance sheet of banks is affected. For secure, regulators require them to strengthen their capital.

Applications and offered an apology video co-president of the company have not stifled the wrath of BlackBerry users. Wednesday, two complaints were filed against Research In Motion by U.S. and Canadian consumers the smartphone, including email and Internet access were disrupted by a global failure for nearly four days in mid-October.

The American action in partnership, supported by a California resident, filed Wednesday in federal court in Santa Ana, California. Research In Motion is accused of breach of contract, negligence and unjust enrichment.The complaint, filed on behalf of 2.4 million BlackBerry users in the state, requires financial compensation.

The other complaint, filed in the Superior Court of Quebec, on the lands of RIM, is from the "Group of consumer law", a firm specializing in class actions. She asks RIM to "take measures to offset direct or indirect users of BlackBerry," and "arranging" for operators reimburse their customers.

A drop in share price

Following the cut massive services reached between 11 and 14 October, the group of Waterloo, Ontario, decided to offer its customers for $ 100 of free applications for compensation and a free month technical maintenance for businesses."We are committed to ensuring a high level of reliability now and in the future," had secured one of two owners of RIM, Mike Lazaridis.

These two class actions against Research In Motion have been filed when the company through this week a new crisis of confidence, stock market this time. On Wednesday, the share price was unscrewed from 7.48% after the announcement of the postponement until February of the second generation of the PlayBook. This tablet, which would compete with the iPad, has so far garnered very disappointing results. Since 2011, the title of Research In Motion has lost almost two thirds of its value.

ALSO READ:

"The failure BlackBerry sobering SMEs Safety

PepsiCo has the sequence of ideas. In 2005, the U.S. giant had failed to put its plans to buy Danone. But it remains today in its desire to add yogurt to its offer. PepsiCo is indeed about to enter the market in the United States, where he will face two well-known leaders in France: Dannon, Danone's subsidiary that produces and distributes America 6 million pots of yogurt a day, and General Mills, number two, which has confirmed its ambitions by acquiring 51% of Yoplait.

In search of food markets growing, the boss of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, displays for months his ambition to enter the dairy sector. The group is indeed under pressure from shareholders to boost its growth, to compensate for the decline of its traditional soft drinks in the United States.The yoghurt market in contrast has almost doubled over the past decade in America.

The Wall Street Journal, the multinational company is in talks to create a joint venture in the United States with German dairy group Theo Müller. The latter, already present in the UK since 1995 with its brand Müller Corner, also happens to be looking for expansion outside Europe. The brand and type of yogurt that the alliance wants to produce is not yet known. No more than the amount that the two partners plan to invest easy payday loans.

Positive

With dairy products, Pepsi expand its portfolio of 19 product lines that each generates over a billion dollars in revenue, and would complement its offering food to the radius, at present limited to Frito Lay chips and other crackers Doritos and Cheetos.Above all, the yogurt group would bring to the positive image of the nutritional point of view. Soft drinks like Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew and Seven Up, are criticized for their high sugar content and are regularly projects surcharges, while snacks are for their salt content.

PepsiCo has already begun to diversify into less controversial products: fruit juices, with the acquisition of Tropicana in 1998, or breakfast cereals with the acquisition of Quaker in 2001. One of the strategic group is also to develop snacks and other snacks made from healthy products. The firm has for example launched last year Tropolis, mashed fruit presented in liquid water bottles for children.By creating a center last year called "Global Nutrition Group," PepsiCo has set a goal to triple its turnover in 2020 in this niche products based on fruit, vegetables, grains and of milk. Dr. Mehmood Khan, an endocrinologist came from the famous Mayo Clinic, was engaged in conduct that set.