Coming finally to what was called the Airbus of the satellites i

A few days ago, Hubert Védrine proposed that Europe boosts industrial projects "without waiting for the institutional reform", to create this effect "of the European champions" and of "actually bounce" ("Les Echos" from March 30). This is an interesting idea, and Hubert Védrine, everyone knows, is one of the best experts in geopolitics. No remains, however, that the principle of reality requires us to see that political and industry are radically different exercises that rarely coincide and it is difficult to converge in the interest of national communities. In this case, European construction deals with neighbouring countries, same culture and similar developments, whereas industry must play in a contrary registry, globalization where it is appropriate to associate and to combine the opportunities of continents and different markets.

Whether one likes it or not, the market economy now extended across the globe despite enormous disparities, and not more Europe, that the France cannot escape. Whether one likes it or not, technical progress extends everywhere, facilitating exchanges, paving the way for innovation and automating productions. It is in this context that the industrial company must develop its vital imperative, profitable growth, which inevitably by competitiveness.

Combat competition, this is before any reach the critical size, that allows to anticipate the application of the market in new products, to produce the optimal pace and have efficient trade networks. In terms of costs, it's to amortize in sufficient quantities the cost of research and development, ways of production and sales and after-sales services. And this critical size continues to increase with the expansion of accessible markets and the availability of new technologies. It is equally important to locate the activities of the company and its subcontractors to optimize costs, i.e. the need to use of the competitive capacity of each territory mainly by its workforce. Cannot be finally ignored the psycho-social factors which lead to locate there where it wants to sell and even to join companies of the country.

Speed of this evolution has led to abandon gradually and to a large extent a principle of industrial strategy which seemed so essential, the diversification of risk constituting industrial conglomerates of multiple activities. A contrary trend then developed to meet the need for global expansion: focus its resources and efforts on the core business, outsourcing everything that is not essential, empowering subcontractors and to associate with new partners to conquer new markets. Explains the scope of the restructuring of companies on a global scale, such that it considers currently those of CAC 40 are 80 of their activities abroad or abroad, countries Europeans having only a modest share. It is more sought to stack sales, but to exploit synergies to stay competitive and create value.

In this context, it cannot be said that there is a great place for a European strategy. Renault did not intend to join Peugeot or Volkswagen, but escaped from Europe to Asia and America with Nissan, Samsung, and the Indian Mahindra, without forgetting the Russia, the Morocco and the Iran. Thomson, Saint-Gobain, Lafarge and many others followed the same route. Although into EADS, Eurocopter moved to the United States, the Japan, China and India apart from his British and Italian competitors. It is therefore natural that Alcatel, after to be implemented in various countries, particularly in China want to settle first in the world in alliance with the U.S. Lucent.

Must analyze carefully what are the real industrial synergies when talking about concentration by trades. In this regard, it should be noted that there is no more the defence industry to consumer goods industry, because there is no more community between a gun and a nuclear submarine there is between a yoghurt and a hair dryer. For example, the business of EADS, is the creation of vehicles piloted the third dimension, including satellites. Thales, it is of professional electronics which includes all systems computerized that they are loaded or not. Are therefore two professions complementary but completely different, as regards the jurisdiction of the personal the industrial tool. A merger between EADS and Thales therefore not synergies emerging and would instead of destruction of value.

Coming finally to what was called the "Airbus of the satellites", i.e. the consolidation project between branches of Alcatel and EADS satellites under the banner of Thales. It could only approve the idea of concentrating the French potential in an area where global opportunities are very close. But out on this occasion the satellites of the perimeter of EADS, it is the job would have been a manifest error. A realistic approach to this problem would be to accept the transfer of satellites to Thales Alcatel if this encourages the approximation, perfect sense, of these two companies, and then consolidate two satellites under the EADS banner industries in a negotiation of rectification to the borders which are necessary in any event.

It is perfectly legitimate that the State, custodian of the interests of the national community, interested in the industry, essential to the prosperity of the citizens, and seeks to promote development through a relevant industrial policy.

Must be that the "policies" want to understand the foundations of this activity, resist pressure from special interests, and refrain from wanting to make it a political tool. In particular, our industrial enterprises should not be held hostage to the trampling of European construction.