Bordeaux Region development Agency

36 Hours in Bordeaux

2010-06-19T22:00:00Z

TASTING notes for the 2004 Bordeaux — the stony French city, not its famous wine — might have read something like this : lifeless and bland ; aromas of dirt and dust ; a once majestic city well past its prime. But recent years have shown real progress. Today's Bordeaux is smooth and elegant, thanks to reclaimed docklands and a beautification effort that is removing centuries of soot from its venerable squares and medieval churches.

There's also a new liveliness, including avant-garde art spaces and fled gling concept stores. Throw in some stellar upstart restaurants and innovative wine bars, and Bordeaux sparkles once again.

(Source : New York Times)

Bordeaux Fête le Vin

2010-05-24T22:00:00Z

The famous and popular Bordeaux Fête le Vin opens its 2010 show on the Quays on the Left Bank of the Garonne River from 24 through 27 June next.

Now become the top wine tourism event in France, it also embraces gastronomy, music and the graphic arts.

First and foremost, it is an opportunity to discover the wines of Bordeaux and Aquitaine via a program of tasting sessions, expositions and visits to wine chateaux.

Quebec will be a major player on this occasion, within the framework of its 48-year-old twinning with Bordeaux. There will be an opportunity for all Quebeckers here to gather together to celebrate the National Festival of Quebec on 24 June, led by the Maire de Quebec, Mr. Régis Labeaume.

The facades along the Quays will be transformed into an enormous 4,000m2 screen, on which will projected a nightly spectacle featuring the story of wine and Bordeaux's heritage.

(Source : AQUI MAGAZINE 25 May 2010)

Brokers Filhet-Allard Diversify

2010-05-21T22:00:00Z

Bordeaux insurance broker Filhet-Allard, employing 560 people is currently in sixth position nationally, with a collected premiums value of $750 million. In 2009, it hit a turnover of around $100 million, once again up on the previous year,

It is now expanding its range of activities, though its affiliate AMV, to include cell phones and pre-owned vehicles. This will be in addition to its existing portfolio of marine insurance (currently 11% of turnover), business insurance (around 50%), and motorcycles (40%).

(Source : les Echos 19 May 2010)

Agfa Expands its Bordeaux Site

2010-05-19T22:00:00Z

Agfa Healthcare Enterprises Solutions, producers of specialized medical CIT systems, plan to create a world class R&D center on their site in Bordeaux suburb Artigues.

The management of Agfa HES signed an agreement protocol with the Aquitaine Region on 19 May at HIT, the Health Information Technologies Show in Paris. This lays down the terms of a partnership contract designed to maintain and support the new R&D site, which will be dedicated to clinical information systems. “We shall try to concentrate at Artigues all the company's existing talents and to add others which we need. We expect to create another 20 to 30 positions in Aquitaine,” states a company spokesman.

Interviewed in the medical computer journal TIC Santé, Aquitaine Regional Council's President Alain Rousset made no secret of the region's desire to secure “more than 200 permanent jobs” in the region.

(Source : Agfa press release)

Thalès in Ever Closer Cooperation with University

2010-05-19T22:00:00Z

The Thalès Group, employing around 2,000 over its two Bordeaux sites, is firming up its strategy of closer co-operation with Bordeaux University.

To strengthen the links, an association of research bodies called Albatros (Alliance Bordeaux Universities and Thalès in Research on AviOnics Systems) has been formally set up. Apart from Thalès Avionics and Thalès Onboard Systems, the consortium comprises the CNRS (National Central Research Body), Bordeaux Universities 1 and 2, the Bordeaux Polytechnic Institute, the Federation of Higher Education Institutes in the Department of the Gironde together with INRIA (Institute for Applied Computer Research).

The advanced level of electronics research and information technology skills of these research bodies was sufficient to convince the group to make Bordeaux one of its major support points for fundamental research and has consequently allocated it an annual budget of over $6 million.

(Source :Sud-Ouest 15 May 2010)

Bordeaux-gironde Investissement* Attracts Businesses to the Territory

2010-05-14T22:00:00Z

With 1,500 new jobs for 33 projects announced over three years, the 2009 results for Bordeaux and the Gironde show an increase of 28% over 2008. This demonstrates the positive growth that the region has enjoyed for several years now.

In the face of increased competition from other conurbations following the economic crisis, 25 new company arrivals, 5 relocations and the expansion of existing businesses have been recorded, among which are production plants and expansions from overseas.

In essence, these results come from two main sectors. First, aerospace and defense, in particular, the relocation of 500 employees of SIMMAD (military aircraft maintenance and support). Second, the eco-industries, with the arrival of US company First Solar on the Bordeaux Blanquefort Ecoparc.

Pierre-Yves Le Borgn, First Solar's VP Public Affairs Europe, confirms this. “Without a doubt the enthusiasm of local operators, backed up by the official blessing of the authorities on the ground, made a very important contribution to our decision to locate our solar panels plant at Blanquefort”.

(Source : Press release 7 May 2010)

* Bordeaux-Gironde Investissemement is the new identity of BRA-Bordeaux

Successful Touchdown for COMAT

2010-05-14T22:00:00Z

Toulouse-based mechanical and high-temp engineers COMAT are past masters in the aerospace, medical and defense fields and are setting up in Bordeaux's Aeroparc.

“Our strength lies in the fact that we are unique. We have the complete capacity for designing, manufacturing and testing,” explains Olivier Carron, VP Marketing. “This is what has made COMAT stand out from the competition for the last 30 years. We do not limit ourselves to engineering. We can also realize what we have designed”.

The company's major customers include the European Space Agency, the Atomic Energy Commission, DGA (Government Armaments Commission) and EADS (aerospace manufacturing).

In fact, the presence of EADS is one of the reasons for setting up in Bordeaux. The rationale for the Aeroparc move was to get closer to customers in order to respond more effectively to their needs. The move has been in the pipeline since 2005 and the engineering and assembly plant came on stream on 15 April.

In addition to building relationships with local companies, COMAT plans to hire 15 to 20 new staff over the next three years.

(source : BRA press release May 2010)

LECTRA Bounces Back

2010-05-14T22:00:00Z

Lectra is a world leader in dedicated software for textile fabrication, based in Cestas, near Bordeaux and employing 500 people. After two difficult years, it is now definitely on the up again.

Turnover for the first quarter of 2010 is 15% up on the same period in 2009, with a net profit of $1.5 million. Above all, orders for software and computer-controlled equipment are up 68% ; a 150% rise in North America, 67% in Asia and 29% in Europe.

In the face of this bounce-back, LECTRA has started hiring again at the Cestas site with 20 interim workers, together with 15 new R&D personnel and 6 marketing staff.

(Source : APS 7 May 2010)

Excoes Steps Up Its Growth

2010-04-29T22:00:00Z

Set up in 2009 at the Bordeaux Montesquieu Technopole, the Excoes operation designs, constructs, and will soon be marketing steam plants which simultaneously produce electricity and heat from a renewable energy source.

The company hopes shortly to raise around $700,000 to finance its growth and to recruit four more staff before 2011. It aims initially to target the market for wood pellet furnaces for communal housing units.

On another front, Excoes is working with French company Exosun to develop a mini power station linked to a solar furnace system.

(Source : La Tribune 26 April 2010)

Allgoob Launches Search Engine for Realty and Autos

2010-04-29T22:00:00Z

Bordeaux startup Allgoob, only three years after launching its employment search engine JobiJoba, has made it the biggest small-ad database in France. Fresh from this success, it is now revving up to roll out its little brother WiPikit, to handle the realty and auto markets.

The company has just raised $700,000 from venture capitalist Newfund and is planning to recruit more engineers and sales staff.

This burgeoning company is also looking forward to new developments afforded by smartphone apps (iPhone or Android) to open up new opportunities to exploit its geolocalization know-how for these phones.

(Source : La Tribune 27 April 2010)

New Cookie for Bordeaux's LU Plant

2010-04-20T22:00:00Z

The Bordeaux LU plant employs 500 people making chocolate cookies. As of last month, LU SAS has started production of a new cookie line in collaboration with Belgian chocolatier Côte d'Or.

It took a $10 million investment to produce this new range and to adapt the fourteen production lines in the Cestas plant, which is one of LU's two largest production units.

Aimed at the French adult market, a sector which LU plans to dominate within three years, the products come in two ranges, « Biscuit Intense » and « Fine & Intense », each range offering several flavours.

The plant will turn out a thousand tonnes of these new products this year, with production scheduled to keep on climbing.

(Source : Sud-Ouest 17 April 2010)

Steris Sets Up in Bordeaux

2010-04-13T22:00:00Z

American corporation Steris, manufacturers of sterilisation products for the medical, surgical and dentistry markets, is to relocate its European activities to Bordeaux suburb Le Haillan.

The new location will house the European HQ, Production and Marketing departments. These are currently spread over the UK, Switzerland and Orleans, France. By the year end, the group will have started construction of the new headquarters building, which will also house design, R&D and assembly.

These activities are scheduled to come on stream by July 2011 and will involve the relocation of 150 staff, with the prospect of adding a further 100 over the following 3-5 years.

The quality of the infrastructure, the attractivity of the Bordeaux area and the warm welcome afforded by business partners and the local authority are among the main factors which led to this decision.

(Source : Sud-Ouest 14 April 2010)

Fermentalg Honored at NEED Forum

2010-04-11T22:00:00Z

Fermentalg is a biotech R&D company based at Libourne, near Bordeaux. As European leader in the production of algae grown in darkness, it was awarded the “Coup de Coeur” prize at the NEED Green Business Congress recently held in Bordeaux.

Fermentalg targets three markets - food products used in fish-farming, general food supplements and third-generation bio-diesel fuels.

Fermentalg has similarly been honored at the National Concourse for the creation of innovative business, sponsored by the Ministry of Research.

(Source : Flashinfos 12 April 2010)

Serma Technologies Major Player in Aquitaine Electronics

2010-04-09T22:00:00Z

Serma Technologies is a high tech electronics engineering and service company dedicated to analysing, measuring and consulting on components, systems and materials. It has 450 employees spread over ten locations. Of these, 114 work at the Bordeaux Pessac location, which alone handles more than 5,000 projects a year for clients in the aviation and auto industries.

The company aims to play a co-ordinating role in setting up an Aquitaine center of excellence for the exploitation of electronics technology in the fields of renewable energy and of electric vehicles.

(Source : Sud-Ouest 10 April 2010)

Bordeaux Digital City

2010-04-05T22:00:00Z

Bordeaux has put in train a major new project – Digital City - a complete package of services, equipment and applications projects for and by the citizens of Bordeaux. Among the raft of information now available digitally, one can access the full Bordeaux cultural program by Smartphone and iPhone on bordeaux.fr

It will soon be possible, using a mobile terminal, to take a 3D guided tour of Bordeaux in sound and vision that not only shows today's city but reconstructs 3D historic views and monuments going back to Roman times. All this thanks to the technology developed by a local business cluster, B3D.

The B3D project is headed by AXYZ (3D material and digital imaging producers) in collaboration with a number of Bordeaux companies, At Once Technologies (video games and onboard technology), GMT Editions (e-tourism) and Systonic (web engineering), together with two Paris-based companies.

(Source : Le Journal des Entreprises 2 April 2010)

Epsilon Composite Moves into Aviation

2010-04-03T22:00:00Z

Epsilon Composite fabricates pultruded tubes and profiles in carbon fiber. It is based in the Médoc, to the north of Bordeaux, and has put in hand an investment program to fabricate parts for the Airbus as of 2012.

The R&D investment is reckoned to be around $3 million and a further $4 million will be spent on new buildings and equipment. The partnership with Airbus started in 2009 and should develop to take in other Airbus components. According to CEO Stéphane Lull, the company's know-how in pultrusion technology makes it very competitive in the aviation sector.

Epsilon Composite employs 150 people and 80% of its turnover is in exports. It has set up an affiliate in Japan. It is also well established in wind generator blades. :

(Source : L'Usine Nouvelle 29 March 2010)

McKesson Bounces Back

2010-03-29T22:00:00Z

US medical computer systems affiliate McKesson France, based in Bordeaux suburb Canéjan, employs around 300 people.

Following upon a relatively slack period during the implementation of the “Hôpital 2012” building and renovation program, the company has recently made a successful bid for a project in the Rouen hospital complex. With 30% of its turnover dedicated to R&D, the company is investing in fruitful markets, such as digital archiving of medical imaging.

( Source : Sud-Ouest 25 March 2010)

WIT France Sets Up in Bordeaux

2010-03-27T23:00:00Z

The WIT company packages wine in screen-printed glass tubes.

As part of its development program, it will shortly set up a new plant in Bordeaux. The WIT packaging process is unique in the world and was awarded the “Oenovation 2008” Trophy. It consists of a glass tube bonded into a screw-top aluminum closure.

Packed under atmosphere-controlled conditions in 40,50, 60 or 100ml sizes, it offers optimum keeping conditions for the finest wines for a minimum of two years.

The format is targeted not only at tasting and sampling, but also for drinking, as gift pack selections or as complimentary gifts, such as in top hotels.

“We are the only ones in the world to offer this pack format. We have taken out 5 patents covering 17 countries” asserts Charly Pairaud, CEO of the new plant at Blanquefort, which will go on stream during the first half of April. “The choice of this location is not just linked to the development opportunity afforded to us by one of our partners, it is a strategic one. We will be sitting next door to world-renowned vineyards and this represents a major growth potential for our operation”.

(Source : BRA press release March 2010)

Couach Naval Yard to Supply Indian Navy

2010-03-18T23:00:00Z

Couach, constructors of luxury yachts, high-power launches and military patrol-boats, has just landed a contract with the Indian Navy to build 15 high-speed launches.

Couach, with its yard at Gujan Mestas on the Arcachon Basin, employing 300 people, is well placed to bid for more orders, such as another one from the Indian Navy for 80 more vessels.

As constructor of MEGA Yachts, it is consolidating its position in the market, having just picked up an order for a 50-meter yacht, a Yacht 5000 Fly, from a Ukrainian business magnate.

(Source : Les Echos 17 March 2010)

Inward Investments A Good Haul for Bordeaux and Aquitaine

2010-03-14T23:00:00Z

According to the AFII (French International Investments Agency), the balance sheet for Bordeaux and the Gironde department is decidedly positive, thanks particularly to important new arrivals of such big hitters as America's First Solar and the takeover of the former Ford plant by Germany's HZ Holding.

Overall, more than 2,000 jobs are projected over the next three years.

On a broader scale, the Aquitaine region, for the first time ever, has moved up to third position among all French regions in terms of new jobs created through inward investment (2,890 jobs from 29 investment projects). Measured as a percentage of new jobs against the total workforce, it is the top region in France.

(Source : BRA press release March 2010)