Some companies are taken by the throat, forced to honor the invoices of a contract signed at a high price in the fall of 2022. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP
DECRYPTION – The dreaded industrial recession did not occur at the end of 2022, but some companies are suffocated by their soaring bills.
Maxime Mathey, the general manager of Outillage Magafor, is very worried. This manufacturer of cutting tools for the metallurgy industry, which achieves a turnover of more than 20 million euros and employs 160 people, finds itself in a tense financial situation at the start of the year due to its energy. “Electricity is our main item of energy expenditure, stresses Maxime Mathey. Last year, our bill was 350,000 euros. It should increase to 1.8 million euros this year. The case of Outillage Magafor is not isolated. Some companies are caught by the throat, forced to honor the bills of a contract signed at a high price in the fall of 2022, when electricity and gas prices were at their highest.
Since then, prices have fallen sharply. The 10% decline in industrial activity at the end of 2022, announced by France Industrie, did not occur. And the government has released several billion in aid. “Overall, the aid provided…
This article is for subscribers only. You have 83% left to discover.
Flash Sale -70%
Offer available until February 28. Without engagement.
Already subscribed? Login