Europe's industrial imperative
Vincent Mercier, Chairman of Roland Berger's Paris office, cited figures that painted a picture of European industrial strength in distress
French top managers and the country's Minister of Economic Affairs convene in Paris for the 2010 Best of European Business award
The global economic crisis of 2008-2009 was the most severe downturn of the past 30 years, disrupting the structure of the world economy. Looking at the growing economic power of the emerging countries, Europe's political and business elite must ask itself how the European economies must (re-)structure themselves in order to maintain their industrial strengths. Which economic models will be most valid in the post-crisis world?
These were the central questions addressed at the sixth "Rencontres de L'Entreprise Européenne" (European Business Meetings), hosted on November 23 by Roland Berger Paris, the business daily La Tribune and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC). In the run-up to Tuesday's event, the organizers had jointly published a series of insightful articles in La Tribune in which they took a close look at the state of Europe's most important industries.
The global economic crisis of 2008-2009 was the most severe downturn of the past 30 years, disrupting the structure of the world economy. Looking at the growing economic power of the emerging countries, Europe's political and business elite must ask itself how the European economies must (re-)structure themselves in order to maintain their industrial strengths. Which economic models will be most valid in the post-crisis world?
These were the central questions addressed at the sixth "Rencontres de L'Entreprise Européenne" (European Business Meetings), hosted on November 23 by Roland Berger Paris, the business daily La Tribune and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC). In the run-up to Tuesday's event, the organizers had jointly published a series of insightful articles in La Tribune in which they took a close look at the state of Europe's most important industries.
European industry – in distress or in demand?
The event at the Pompidou Centre brought together top managers from leading French companies and around 800 distinguished guests. The two main features of the evening were a debate on Europe's industrial future and the award ceremony for the 2010 Best of European Business awards in France.
Christine Lagarde, the French Minister of Economic Affairs, kicked off the debate about the future of Europe's industries. In her keynote speech, she outlined her vision of a new industrial policy for the continent. In another keynote address, Vincent Mercier, Chairman of Roland Berger's Paris office, cited figures that painted a picture of European industrial strength in distress: "Between 1975 and 2009, the number of jobs in industry in France declined from 5.8 to 3.5 million," he said, noting that the figures for Germany and Great Britain declined equally. Meanwhile, China created 48 million new industry jobs during the same time period.
These ideas were picked up by the participants of the ensuing roundtable discussion on "Europe's industrial imperative": Fabrice Brégier, COO of Airbus; Bernard Charlès, Managing Director of Dassault Systèmes; Franck Esser, CEO of SFR; Xavier Fontanet, President of Essilor; Clara Gaymard, CEO of Général Electric France; Patrick Pelata, Deputy CEO of Renault; and Michel Rollier, General Partner of Groupe Michelin.
The event at the Pompidou Centre brought together top managers from leading French companies and around 800 distinguished guests. The two main features of the evening were a debate on Europe's industrial future and the award ceremony for the 2010 Best of European Business awards in France.
Christine Lagarde, the French Minister of Economic Affairs, kicked off the debate about the future of Europe's industries. In her keynote speech, she outlined her vision of a new industrial policy for the continent. In another keynote address, Vincent Mercier, Chairman of Roland Berger's Paris office, cited figures that painted a picture of European industrial strength in distress: "Between 1975 and 2009, the number of jobs in industry in France declined from 5.8 to 3.5 million," he said, noting that the figures for Germany and Great Britain declined equally. Meanwhile, China created 48 million new industry jobs during the same time period.
These ideas were picked up by the participants of the ensuing roundtable discussion on "Europe's industrial imperative": Fabrice Brégier, COO of Airbus; Bernard Charlès, Managing Director of Dassault Systèmes; Franck Esser, CEO of SFR; Xavier Fontanet, President of Essilor; Clara Gaymard, CEO of Général Electric France; Patrick Pelata, Deputy CEO of Renault; and Michel Rollier, General Partner of Groupe Michelin.
Industrial excellence is one of the most significant levers for maintaining a strong production base in Europe.
Important levers: Added value and industrial excellence
In their lively debate, they agreed that European industrial companies are facing severe competition as well as homegrown disadvantages. However, as Xavier Fontanet argued, "We have fewer and fewer workers in Europe, but the workforce as such has remained stable." Patrick Pelata of Renault suggested looking at the value added by Europe's industrial players rather than merely counting jobs and workers.
Other European strengths were highlighted: According to Michelin's Michel Rollier, industrial excellence is one of the most significant levers for maintaining a strong production base in Europe. For Clara Gaymard of General Electric France, Europe is still exceptionally strong in important sectors such as transportation, energy or health. Plus, she said, the continent has cutting-edge knowledge regarding the management of cities, one of the main areas for growth in the future.
"Prix de l'Entreprise Européenne"
Finally it was time for the French Best of European Business awards, presented for the sixth year in a row. The awards aim to promote the European way of doing business, highlight winning strategies and understand their specifics. In addition to the "Grand Prix" of European business, three other awards were handed out to French companies in the categories of growth, "Europeanness" and mergers & acquisitions. The winning companies were:
From business to art
Following the official portion of the BEB event, the guests were invited to discover an example of European excellence in a totally different field: the work of Arman (Armand Pierre Fernandez), one of the leading figures of post-war art.
Arman's works of art, created from manufactured objects produced by the consumer society, are currently being shown in a highly acclaimed exhibition at the Pompidou Centre.
In their lively debate, they agreed that European industrial companies are facing severe competition as well as homegrown disadvantages. However, as Xavier Fontanet argued, "We have fewer and fewer workers in Europe, but the workforce as such has remained stable." Patrick Pelata of Renault suggested looking at the value added by Europe's industrial players rather than merely counting jobs and workers.
Other European strengths were highlighted: According to Michelin's Michel Rollier, industrial excellence is one of the most significant levers for maintaining a strong production base in Europe. For Clara Gaymard of General Electric France, Europe is still exceptionally strong in important sectors such as transportation, energy or health. Plus, she said, the continent has cutting-edge knowledge regarding the management of cities, one of the main areas for growth in the future.
"Prix de l'Entreprise Européenne"
Finally it was time for the French Best of European Business awards, presented for the sixth year in a row. The awards aim to promote the European way of doing business, highlight winning strategies and understand their specifics. In addition to the "Grand Prix" of European business, three other awards were handed out to French companies in the categories of growth, "Europeanness" and mergers & acquisitions. The winning companies were:
- Grand Prix de l’Entreprise Européenne: BNP Paribas, a leader in global banking and financial services
- Growth award: CGG Veritas, a global provider of geophysical services and equipment
- Awards for "Europeanness" and mergers & acquisitions: Sanofi Aventis, a leading global healthcare company
- Special jury award: Essilor, a world leader in ophthalmic optics
From business to art
Following the official portion of the BEB event, the guests were invited to discover an example of European excellence in a totally different field: the work of Arman (Armand Pierre Fernandez), one of the leading figures of post-war art.
Arman's works of art, created from manufactured objects produced by the consumer society, are currently being shown in a highly acclaimed exhibition at the Pompidou Centre.
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