Investor Day #4 review:

Hauts-de-France, at the forefront of economic change

Investor Day #4, sponsored by the Hauts-de-France region and organized by Nord France Invest and Les Etats de la France, brought together 250 participants at the regional headquarters on Tuesday. This record attendance reflects the growing interest in the region's economic attractiveness. Here's a look back at this year's event!

Published on 19.11.2024

“Hauts-de-France is a key region for foreign investment, and this event proves that we’re on the right track.” said Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France region.

With France leading the way in Europe
Hauts-de-France is setting an example in reindustrialization

Marc Lhermitte, partner at EY, emphasized the major contribution that international companies have made to the French economy. They account for a quarter of private R&D in France and 35% of industrial exports. France remains the European leader in terms of attractiveness, and the Hauts-de-France region stands out for its triple performance: economic viability, societal inclusion and environmental sustainability.

« Hauts-de-France is excelling in reindustrialization and decarbonization projects, while remaining competitive and inclusive. » stated Marc Lhermitte.

For Laurent Moisson, co-founder of Forces Françaises de l’Industrie, “reindustrialization is crucial to France‘s economic future, and the Hauts-de-France region is a model in this respect.” He added: “It’s time to change the collective narrative around industry in order to attract young people and, above all, women to technical professions. While often perceived as a problem, industry is actually a solution.”

Collective action:
A model of efficiency for regional attractiveness

The Hauts-de-France model is based on an exemplary collaboration between public and private stakeholders, which creates a favorable environment for the realization of structuring projects. Our approach to welcoming investors is based on innovative tools that are an inspiration to other regions in Europe.

Jean-Gabriel Delacroy, Secretary General for Regional Affairs (SGAR), explained: “The regional setting-up contract is a key tool that simplifies procedures for companies and strengthens the region’s competitiveness. It’s aconcrete partnership between the French government, local authorities and companies to ensure that projects succeed. We have signed setting-up contracts for major projects, such as the Tiamat plant, which was supported by the French government.

Philippe Hourdain, chairman of the Hauts-de-France CCI, highlighted the Hauts-de-France International initiative: “We’ve been able to hunt like a pack and pool our forces around a common vision. It’s by working together every day that we can make progress. “

Jean-Pierre Letartre, chairman of Entreprises et Cités, has also welcomed this synergy: “This alliance of public, private and academic stakeholders has allowed us to take effective action in the face of economic challenges”.

Hauts-de-France's assets
as seen by international companies

The Hauts-de-France region offers a number of competitive advantages for international investors. Sylvie Galliaerde, VP External Relations – International at General Mills, stressed the importance of the region’s geographical position:

“Thanks to its favorable geographic location, the Hauts-de-France region facilitates distribution to key markets such as England and the Benelux countries. The quality of the rail, road and port infrastructures is also a major development factor for exporting companies. We have decided to set up our worldwide R&D center close to our factory in order to achieve perfect synergy.”

High-performance logistics is a a lever for attracting industry.
“Logistics is the lifeblood of the economy. Thanks to strong political support and available land, Hauts-de-France is a key region for logistics real estate projects. We’re proud to invest here.” Vincent Sadé, VP Head of capital deployment at Prologis.

For François-Xavier Bréhon, manager of Royal Canin’s Cambrai site, the quality of the workforce in Hauts-de-France makes all the difference. « Local know-how and the quality of the workforce are major reasons behind our success. We have access to a skilled workforce that can meet the growing needs of our industrial projects. The low turnover and stability of our workforce are proof of Cambrai’s quality of life and working climate.»

Laurent Gicquel, General Secretary at EDHEC Business School, explained: « We attract talent from all over the world, and many students choose to stay in the region after their studies, thus contributing to the attractiveness of the local economy. The quality of the schools in the Hauts-de-France region transcends regional and even national borders. International rankings showcase the region’s excellent training programs. »

A region at the forefront
of technological and ecological change

“Hauts-de-France is a region that has undergone constant transformation: from the mail order business to the ACC factory in Billy-Berclau. Current economic changes don’t just concern one sector, they affect the whole of our economy.” This was how Philippe Beauchamps, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-France Region, in charge of corporate relations, employment and vocational training, began his speech.

Hauts-de-France is definitely positioning itself as a leader in technological and ecological change. Doris Birkhofer, Managing Director at Siemens France, praised the region’s digital and energy transition: “Regional competitiveness depends on technology and innovation. In partnership with ACC, Siemens is helping to automate and protect gigafactories, a key lever for decarbonization. Modernizing French SMEs, in particular through robotization, is a major challenge. France is lagging behind Germany, but Hauts-de-France is becoming a model in terms of digitalization and decarbonization, two essential pillars for the future.”

Serge Acito, Deputy Managing Director at Tata Consultancy Services, discussed the role of tech companies in this global transformation movement: “Our move to the region, and our setting up at Euratechnologies, has allowed us to connect to a unique innovation ecosystem, which is essential for our projects in artificial intelligence. We are working with startups to develop technological innovation in the region.”

Renaud Grasset, General Manager France at Velux, highlighted his company’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030: “This goal is being made possible through innovation and collaboration with regional stakeholders. French industry needs to transform itself by mobilizing producers, employees and customers. We need to reindustrialize with a systemic approach: resources, skills, housing.”

François Moreau, Director at Randstad, pointed out that there are still a number of job pools that remain largely untapped: “The talent shortage is global, and it’s time to rethink our recruitment methods. Reindustrialization means recruiting differently. Let’s mobilize young people, the disabled and seniors. Digital and ecological transitions require new skills, and we need to invest in training to support these changes.”

Frédéric Motte, Regional advisor in charge of transforming the regional economy & Chairman of the Rev3 mission and Jean-Pierre Letartre stressed: “Decarbonization is not yet a priority for everyone, but Hauts-de-France must position itself as a model of transition. We need to step up our efforts to keep pace with environmental change.»
A real call to accelerate transformations despite the headwinds.

Xavier Bertrand's vision
for the future

At the close of the event, Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France region, reaffirmed Hauts-de-France’s ambition to become a leader in economic transformations. He emphasized three key areas :

A general regional strategy that targets key sectors such as energy and the automobile industry.
We need an economic “New Deal” to give more power to the regions and stimulate the local economy.
That’s where our pragmatic approach and shared vision with the business world make all the difference.

“Hauts-de-France will continue to attract the industries of the future, while ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.” Xavier Bertrand concluded.