Christophe Sirugue was in the La Rochelle region on Monday morning to announce Government subsidies to support reindustrialisation initiatives.

Christophe Sirugue was in the La Rochelle region on Monday morning to announce Government subsidies to support reindustrialisation initiatives.

HCM Systrel, part of the Bordeaux-based Serma Group, employs 70 people and has a turnover of 9 million euros. The startup Selenium Medical, founded in 2009, employs 57 people and has posted turnover of 4.5 million euros.

HCM Systrel is emerging from a difficult period involving partial unemployment in 2015, and is now leading a development project in the field of micro-modules with the goal of shifting its status from sub-contractor for the big project owners (Thales, Airbus, etc.) to genuine innovation partner. The project is synonymous with the increasing robotisation of production methods, to boost competitiveness, and the creation of around fifteen new jobs over the next three years. It has been awarded a research tax credit.

For its part, Selenium Medical has set its sights on the U.S. in order to reinforce its international presence, and plans to create 140 new jobs within the next 4 years. The Government is providing financial support.

“These are two small businesses that have demonstrated – each at its own level – that there is a bright future for industry in France,” declared the secretary of state.