Type
Internal restructuring
Country
France
Region
Méditerranée; Provence-Alpes-Côte d\'Azur; Alpes-Maritimes
Location of affected unit(s)
Biot
Sector
Professional Services
Scientific, Architectural And Engineering Technical Activities
Scientific Research And Development
72.19 - Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering

400 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
20 September 2017
Employment effect (start)
18 December 2017
Foreseen end date

Description

The Swiss laboratory Galderma (Nestlé group) has announced a plan to reduce or close the R&D activity in its site of Sophia Antipolis (Alpes-Maritimes) where 550 people are employed. The company justifies its decision with the fact that the company is undergoing a reorientation which affects in particular the centre of research in dermatology of Sophia Antipolis. The decision surprised the workforce as in 2014, the company forecasted an extension of 4,500 m² and the recruitment of at least 300 additional employees. The plan, presented to works council, includes a 300 voluntary departures plan and reemployment measures for a hundred of employees in a future R&D centre outside Sophia Antipolis. 

Galderma employs a total of 6,000 employees worldwide. According the Les Echos, 'this is the third plan of restructuring at Nestlé since the American activist Daniel Loeb, holder of 1% of the capital, called for a change of strategy in favour of a better remuneration of the shareholders'.


Sources

  • 20 September 2017: L'usine Nouvelle
  • 20 September 2017: Les Echos

Citation

Eurofound (2017), Galderma Research & Development, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 92068, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92068.