Marie-Guite Dufay floats a rescue plan for MBF Aluminum foundry, the first private employer in Saint-Claude

The Saint-Claude based MBF Aluminum foundry in France employs 284 people and its two primary customers are Renault and Stellantis. The aluminium foundry manufactures engine parts for the two French automobile giants. However, it is currently placed in receivership and its liquidation could be pronounced on 27^th April 2021.

According to our report, Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, is launching a rescue plan, to deliver financial assistance to pay the salaries for April. The regional council was requested by the court administrators and the administrators are asking the region for financial support of €500,000 for a possible rescue plan. Marie-Guite Dufay's document mentions three potential buyers and this aid should allow them to give them additional time to specify the project and submit it, before their examination.

MBF is recognised as the first private employer in Saint-Claude. A standing committee will meet on 19^th April 2021 at the regional council, to immediately vote on this exceptional aid. The Ministry of the Economy is following this file with interest, as per our sources.

According to this working document, Marie-Guite Dufay secured guarantees from Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister Delegate, in charge of Industry. On 16^th April 2021, Gabriel Attal, the government spokesperson, met the unions in Saint-Claude.

On 17^th April 2021, a demonstration was organized in Saint-Claude, to say ‘stop to deindustrialisation in this territory’.