In Saint-Nazaire for the 3rd edition of “Sur le pont,” 150 industry professionals and public stakeholders have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the performance of the Nazairian territory through innovation and cooperation.
In a city shaped by shipyards and aeronautics, innovation is a collective endeavor. On February 5th, the third edition of “Sur le pont,” organized at the Digital Pole of Saint-Nazaire by the agency Nantes Saint-Nazaire Development, highlighted this shared conviction within the local ecosystem. To remain competitive, progress must be made collectively.
Historian Ghislain de la Gatinais, in his morning keynote, traced the transformation of a territory from “a fishing village to a major industrial hub.” A historical reminder that sheds light on the present: the Nazairian industry now generates nearly €9.5 billion in combined revenue, including €4.5 billion from aeronautics, €3 billion from shipbuilding, €800 million from energy, €500 million from renewable marine energies, and €450 million from the agri-food sector.
In a context of increased international competition, innovation emerges as a strategic lever. “The ability of our industrialists to enhance their performance and diversify into new markets contributes to the resilience of the territory,” highlighted Simon Fradet, project manager for Industrial Territories. He specifically mentioned “an academic and research ecosystem,” especially focused on the decarbonization of maritime activities and new energy sources.
Major contracting authorities share this analysis. “Innovation is one of the levers to remain competitive against Chinese competition and to address environmental changes,” confirmed Stéphane Campion, director of the Airbus Atlantic site in Montoir-de-Bretagne. A similar trend is observed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Lacroix, where innovation is also viewed as a driver of positive impact.
15,000 jobs are expected in the coming years. However, for subcontractors heavily integrated into the local industrial fabric, the innovation dynamic remains more challenging to trigger. Therefore, the convergence of “tech” and “fab” becomes a lever to foster a genuine ecosystem of technological solutions to enhance productivity and competitiveness of businesses. This is precisely the goal of the program “Je choisis ma French Tech locale,” aiming to identify and map needs, launch pilot projects with industrial partners, and streamline connections.
Yet, there remains a significant challenge. With secured order books for over ten years and over 15,000 jobs expected in the coming years, industry leaders raise concerns about the need for training and housing.
Read also: Les Pays de la Loire, the leading French region for the naval industry.
