The acquisition of Fonderie de la Bretagne (FDB) by Private Assets represents a decisive turning point for the company, as Maude Duval reported in the news portal Bretagne économique. The acquisition of Private Assets will enable the implementation of FDB's transformation plan, which is aimed at diversifying production, modernizing the industrial tool, and improving performance. The development of the Fonderie de la Bretagne (FDB) transformation plan in collaboration with the Renault Group and the strategic orientation of Private Assets, to form a European foundry group, are significant steps for the future of the company. Originally developed in collaboration with the Renault Group (partner and customer of FDB) following the sale of FDB to the Callista company in 2022, Private Assets' ambition to form a European foundry group by uniting Fonderie de la Bretagne (FDB) with Procast Guss GmbH and the Spanish foundry Procast Abadino is a strategic move that offers several advantages.
First appointment of the FDB advisory committee
After the announcement of the takeover by Private Assets, the FDB Committee was created, an advisory committee made up of Jean-Michel Jacques, Member of Parliament; Fabrice Loher, Mayor of Lorient and the agglomeration of Lorient; Fabrice Vély, Mayor of Caudan and Vice-President for Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Greater Lorient; Florence Bessy, Administration of the Department of Morbihan; Gael Guegan, Director and Regional Councillor for Economic Development of Brittany, Loic Bardin, Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morbihan and Peter Nass, responsible for the organisation of the FDB Advisory Committee.
Important key figures of plant and company development
The first meeting of the FDB committee took place at the end of July 2024 in the FDB factory halls. After the participants were welcomed by FDB Managing Director Jérôme Dupont, a presentation with the plant's current key figures followed. In the subsequent presentation, Sales Manager Natalie Delourme gave an insight into the company's development. This was followed by a guided tour of the factory halls and further presentations on current developments linked to the diversification of production.
Details of diversification and modernisation measures:
- New decoring line: the new decoring line is one of the main drivers for adapting to new markets, as it makes it possible to expand the range of products offered, particularly in terms of the production of larger parts. Pantzer Nicolas, FDB team, and Marco Meneguzzo, MVM Consulting, are responsible for this project.
- New finishing cells: Another key element in order to be able to respond specifically to the new variety of components is the installation of new manual and robot-supported finishing cells to expand the current machine park. The project is managed by Franck Jousse and the FDB team.
- Energy efficiency and FDB qualification: Other projects in the FDB transformation plan include increasing energy efficiency. The qualification of FDB as a supplier through new customers and their first orders is also planned. These are customers from the agricultural and transport machinery, automotive and railway infrastructure etc.
Erwain Jacquin, the plant's project manager, is responsible for all diversification and modernisation measures with the support of Bastien Morbidelli, head of energy supply at FDB.
At the end of the event, the FDB management thanked all committee members for their continued support. A further thank-you went to the FDB employees, who are also actively involved in the transformation process.
