Garnica, the company world-renowned for the manufacture of poplar-based plywood, recently decided upon the Aube department in the north-east of France, and more specifically on the Grand Troyes Park in the urban area Troyes Champagne, for the construction of its second production plant in France (its seventh in Europe). In the long term, Garnica aims to have around 300 employees working at the future site.

The European leader currently employs 1,100 people. Its revenue for this year will amount to an estimated 250 million euros, and Garnica thus hopes to establish a consistent annual growth rate of 15%.

The Aube department was just one of several competing sites, which were largely located in the regions Grand-Est and Hauts-de-France which are situated respectively in the north-east and the north of France. 

A year of reflection for a strategic decision

In order to ensure they had reviewed all of the options available to them, Garnica sought the expertise of relocation specialists Geolink Expansion and the company’s website business-parks.com. “Geolink helped us explore alternative possibilities for the location of our new factory in the north-east of France for free, by establishing local contacts in the region. Their service is simple, efficient and successful, and offers a fresh perspective when it comes to establishing business premises,” explained Pierre Dhorne, director of Garnica’s Troyes factory.

Several key points need to be considered from the beginning if the construction of a factory this size, with an investment of 80 million euros, is to succeed. It is necessary to understand any industrial or logistic needs, to establish that recruitment will be possible and to ensure that the local infrastructure will aid development. With the support of the Troyes Champagne Metropole and Aube Development agency, Garnica was able to satisfy all of these criteria.

In close proximity to the Aube and Seine valley poplar forest and down the road from the A5 motorway, Garnica’s chosen site will allow the company to supply to their customers in northern Europe directly. The future factory will be built next to the company Enedis’ Aube premises.

300 posts to be filled by 2020

The company is now looking for varied profiles to fill the different open posts: production staff, industrial maintenance staff (electrical engineers, welders, drafting technicians specialising in mechanical construction, practical mechanics), quality managers. Close to 300 jobs will be created in the region in the near future.