Lab Eco Midi Libre: the Hérault department has now reached the milestone of 100,000 companies

Now it remains for the two brothers to find the land they are looking for, and some partners, particularly for the restoration.

"Your project excites me, because it includes sport, and in Montpellier more than elsewhere, we see that’ rsquo;it is a major vector of the territory’s economy, launched André Deljarry. In this area, we will launch an innovation in the opera sector in Montpellier at the start of the school year. But I can't say more for the moment…" So be patient.

An active and dynamic territory through its entrepreneurs

Several business leaders shared their experiences with the CCI. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

During this Eco Morning, several business leaders also spoke, in order to show and highlight all the diversity of existing activities in Hérault. Patou Baruteau had a classic career in the travel field, working first at Air Littoral, then in a travel agency. In 2012, she chose to take the plunge and created Collection Voyages, her own travel agency.

"When you start a business, you quickly feel alone, because there are so many steps to take. The CCI helped me in this sense, and even allowed me to create a second agency in La Grande-Motte,” she smiles. At the same time, it organizes the Horizons Marins show each year in order to change the way people look at cruises.

At his side, Stéphane Cinier, manager of Cinier, took over from his father at the head of the family business based in Sète. Today, his company exports Pyrenees stone radiators to more than 50 countries around the world."We focus on a high-end clientele that can be found in Italy, Germany, or the north of Africa, list Stéphane Cinier. A business is a marathon, not a 100 m, you have to constantly fight to continue to exist."

Rémy Lièvre had to adapt when his company, ARL Concept, found itself in receivership two and a half years ago. Today, he is working on multiple projects and is looking for land to build a 1,500 m&sup2 factory. to accommodate its ten employees, and the containers that its company produces. "We are working on the renovation of an old service station in La Mosson, or on the extension of the Ehpad de Mèze", he specifies.

Finally, Marc Felice was also supposed to speak this morning, but the manager of the Melice restaurant in Port Marianne had to replace one of his employees at short notice. The CCI of Hérault supported him in the creation of his establishment.

The CCI of Hérault, a supporting and facilitating organization

Elected officials at the CCI spoke about their support for businesses. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

To conclude the Eco Morning, four elected officials from the Hérault Chamber of Commerce and Industry took the floor to share their role and functions, and thus explain how the structure supports businesses on a daily basis.

"First of all, it should be noted that all CCI elected officials are themselves heads of their own company. We know what we're talking about, it's important data, says Guillaume Pena. We try to ensure the best possible monitoring, it sometimes extends over the entire lifespan of the company."

A supporting role which today allows Hérault to record the creation of 10,000 businesses each year. "Today, there is a need to trigger this ecological, digital and CSR shift, specifies Stéphanie Andrieu. If you don't do it, others will do it faster than you. There is this need to support businesses, since 95% of companies are VSEs or SMEs."

For Fabrice Baila, it is important to have the approach of meeting other business leaders to evolve and move forward. "You have to get involved in fairs, work commissions, and you have to know how to receive, but also sometimes give", adds -he.

Objective 150,000 companies

Finally, it should be noted that companies have encountered new problems during the post-Covid period. "There is a big difficulty in recruiting and training from now on, judge Véronique Vilette. The CCI is setting up HR morning meetings, in collaboration in particular with France Travail and l’Apec."

And for the future, what can we wish for the CCI of Hérault ? "This evening (Thursday May 23, Editor's note), Patrick Bruel is passing through Montpellier. So I'm going to do like him, and meet you in ten years, for the 150,000th, concluded André Deljarry. It’is entirely possible, given the current dynamics".