Brandt Liquidation Ends Era of French Appliance Manufacturing, Over 700 Jobs Lost

The tribunal des activités économiques in Nanterre has officially declared the judicial liquidation of Brandt, the last major French manufacturer of large household appliances, resulting in the loss of more than 700 jobs. This marks the end of an important chapter in French industrial history, with the decision made after no takeover bid, including a workers' cooperative project, was accepted by the tribunal.

Brandt, which operated two production sites in Vendôme and Orléans employing approximately 750 people, had entered judicial recovery in October. The cooperative employee-led takeover plan aimed to save about 295 jobs but ultimately failed to convince the tribunal despite strong support from the French state, the Île-de-France region, the metropole of Orléans, and the Centre-Val de Loire region, which had pledged €1 million to back the cooperative effort.

The president of the Centre-Val de Loire region, François Bonneau, expressed his shock and described the outcome as a "trauma" for the workforce. Economy and Industry ministers Roland Lescure and Sébastien Martin mourned the loss of what they called a "French jewel," highlighting the absence of necessary stakeholders to revive the company and the emotional impact of its closure on employees and their families. They committed to high mobilization of state resources to assist those affected during this challenging transition.

Despite government and regional support, the tribunal's rejection of any recovery projects concludes with the dismantling of France's last large appliance manufacturing presence, underscoring broader challenges faced by the French industrial sector amid global competition. The closure signals a significant industrial and employment setback, particularly in the Vendôme and Orléans areas where the company was active.