The mechanical industries raise their heads

Here is good news: the mechanical industries recorded an increase of 3.9% of their turnover in 2010, to 101.2 billion euros. This recovery is all the more spectacular given that the first half of 2010 was difficult, with activity down compared to 2009, which had nevertheless been a very bad year (15% down from 2008, a record year). Thanks to this recovery, the metal trades are back to their level of 2005-2006.
The automotive, aeronautics, rail and nuclear industries were the main drivers of growth in the mechanical industries in 2010.
In the details of the figures communicated by the Federation of Mechanical Industries, we can notice the performance of France in exports: + 9.4% (to 41.2 billion euros) compared to 2009. There are sectors where France is not doing so badly ...
There are still some shadows on the board. The mechanical industries, France's largest industrial employer, saw their workforce drop by 4.8% in 2010 to 620,000 employees (these represent around 20% of industrial employment). Today, the deterioration has been stopped and forecasts for 2011 are more optimistic given the recovery in activity that began and confirmed in 2010.
For 2011, the rebound in activity should be confirmed for the various mechanical professions (agricultural machinery should pick up again). And an increase of 5% is expected.
The FIM believes that our manufacturers are penalized and calls on the public authorities to take strong measures in several priority areas. Most are known: reduction of the cost of labor (and in particular of certain social charges), simplification of the administrative system, moderation of the increase in the price of electricity, elimination of the ISF (many companies belong to their directors , who would prefer to invest), encouragement of individuals to invest in the industry.
Finally, it should be remembered that the mechanical industries represent about 11,000 companies with 10 employees, distributed in 45.6% in the processing industries, 44.9% in the supply of equipment and 9.5% in the precision industries (optics, measuring instruments, health).

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