Reindustrialization has become a central topic for many European countries, particularly for France and Germany. The industrial dynamics of these two nations are often seen as a driver of growth and economic stability in Europe. In the current context of globalization and economic imbalance, reindustrialization presents itself as a complex but necessary challenge. This article was created from a round table held during BIG10 with Doris Birkhofer, CEO of Siemens France and Vice-President of the Franco-German Chamber of Commerce, Charles Bonnafous, President & CEO of Nexson Corporation, Dominique Cherpin, Associate Director of Vif Solutions, and Florent Buschiazzo, Europe Zone Manager at Bpifrance.

The importance of reindustrialization

Reindustrialization aims to strengthen the industrial production capacity of European countries. This involves not only restoring old industries but also integrating new technologies and innovations to remain competitive in the global market. In France, the gradual loss of its industrial fabric to relocation has led to a weakened economy. Conversely, Germany, with its strong industry, seeks to maintain and modernize its capacities to avoid losing its position as an industrial leader in Europe. According to Dominique Cherpin, foreign trade advisor and co-founder of Vif Solutions, the situation in Europe is complex: « We want to reindustrialize France… because we practically no longer have an industry. In the country where I live, in Germany, we still have an industry and the challenge is not to lose the industry we have today. »

The three pillars of reindustrialization

To succeed in reindustrialization, companies must focus on three essential pillars: innovation, investment, and internationalization. Companies must continuously innovate to remain competitive. Technological innovation allows the development of new products and services, improves production process efficiency, and meets changing consumer needs. Once innovation is developed, it is crucial to make investments to produce these innovations on a large scale. This includes purchasing new machines, training employees, and improving existing infrastructure. Finally, to maximize the benefits of their innovations, companies must turn to international markets. Internationalization allows diversifying revenue sources and reducing dependence on the national market. Charles Bonnafous, CEO of Nexson Group, shares his experience of reindustrialization and internationalization. Nexson has succeeded in innovating and establishing itself in international markets while maintaining production in France. It is crucial to innovate before exporting: « In France, we must innovate… We created a factory in central France… for very special processes, to recover energy that we could not recover before. »

A concrete example of success despite challenges

To illustrate the challenges and opportunities of reindustrialization, Dominique Chepin, Associate Director of Vif Solutions, shares the following example. In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, a subsidiary of a German group in the Paris region was to close. The proposal to sell the subsidiary before closing it ultimately led to restructuring and maintaining part of the production in France. This allowed winning large contracts with the French army thanks to local production: « We see that through a small local reindustrialization decision, we managed to win large tenders. »

Franco-German cooperation: an essential lever

To overcome current economic imbalances, it is essential to implement effective reindustrialization strategies. Franco-German cooperation plays a crucial role in this process. The two countries can leverage their respective strengths to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. The case of Siemens, a German flagship company, illustrates this reality well due to its contribution in France for 175 years and its current investment in digitalization and in green technologies. Doris Birkhofer, CEO of Siemens France and Vice-President of the Franco-German Chamber of Commerce, emphasizes the importance of innovation and modernization of factories in France: “With close to 20,000 clients in France, we’ve observed that French industrial sites are notably less modernized than their German counterparts. For example, on average, factories in Germany have around three times as many robots as those in France.”

The keys to successful reindustrialization in Europe

Reindustrialization is a major but necessary challenge for Europe. By focusing on innovation, investment, and internationalization, and leveraging Franco-German cooperation, European countries can strengthen their industrial fabric and ensure sustainable economic growth. The key to success lies in the ability to innovate, invest strategically, and collaborate effectively to meet the challenges of globalization.

Johan KRIEGER, Export Development Officer Europe, Bpifrance: « To demonstrate Bpifrance’s commitment to this ‘battle of reindustrialization’, we support companies in their development in Europe. Thus, in April 2025, during the Hannover Fair, the world’s largest industrial technology fair, we will accompany French companies eager to discover the German market and sign contracts with international industrialists. This will be done through a 9-month support program offered by Bpifrance and by our financing solutions. So, French entrepreneurs, representatives of the French industry, join us for this international business journey. »

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