For his second general assembly as president of the Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie Côte d’Azur (UIMM06), Marcel Ragni remains confident despite “a fairly difficult year 2022 for the industry given the supply difficulties, the increase in the price of raw materials and electricity. But our members remain very resilient with a strong desire for development.” While their order books are full, the labor market shortage remains a concern for them.
Failures to come?
Concern also regarding business failures. “Some are overtaxed and are struggling to repay their PGE”, continues the president of the territorial trade union chamber. Others, nationally, are talking regarding relocating their activity, “which might possibly have an impact on the territory’s major accounts”, he underlines, fearing a wave of bankruptcies. And to regret the slowness of the French government and Europe to bring regarding decisions aimed at improving French competitiveness and thwarting the American protectionist policy. [la logique d’acheter américain de la loi Inflation Réduction Act, IRA, ndlr]. Without forgetting China, which also wants to keep or bring back major accounts on its soil.
Faced with this, the Riviera metalworkers’ union does not remain idly by. After reviewing the key events of 2022, the ordinary general meeting of the UIMM06 which took place at the headquarters of the Banque Populaire Méditerranée in Nice recorded the signature of its acquisition of a stake of 40k€ in Somudimec, a support and investment player for industrial SMEs and SMIs.
“Somudimec, which will have a representative office within our premises in Nice, will be able to advise managers on how to carry out their financing and development project”confirms Marcel Ragni, who also aims to create a specific dedicated PACA-Corsica fund with the South Region.
Projects
For 2023-24, UIMM06 has several projects at different stages of development. Already in place, the Employment Insertion Skills service will be there “to help businesses” but the president is looking ahead to October and the first IBT – Industry, Building and Tech at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. “This joint exhibition of FBTP, UIMM06, Prodarom, CCI NCA and UPEO6 makes sense and will unify the entire territorial industry by bringing together local sectors and institutions”he is satisfied.
Other strong areas for 2023-24 are the Trades Showroom, which will be set up on the premises of the UIMM azuréenne and the Production School, which will welcome around fifteen students from September 2024 at the Nice Trades Campus. Task the union with finding members to place small orders at school “in the hope of creating jobs and training the employees of tomorrow for tense professions where there is no longer any training.”
Equally important are the CSR and green industry components. The first, from the national UIMM, will be deployed in the territories via a CSR commission: “We support companies to identify the potential actions to be implemented to take advantage of all its advantages and opportunities.”
As for the green industry wanted by the government, “It’s the subject of the year, assures Marcel Ragni. We must facilitate companies’ access to this desired and expected ecological transition and find solutions to facilitate their decarbonization. Attention, the will of the national and territorial UIMMs is to influence the institutional actors so that the bill on the green industry does not increase the regulations, the laws and other standards. But that, on the other hand, it facilitates and accompanies and provides the means if not, he warns, businesses won’t get it. The role of the chamber is to use all its influence to ensure that the territory is active, to put a foot in the stirrup of all its members.
