The novelty in the Nice-Matin group’s takeover file comes from the participation of the employees (or rather, a part of them) who have applied through a collective interest cooperative society (CICS).
According to leaked information, 300 people agreed to contribute 3,500 euros each, which amounts to more or less 1 million euros. Naturally, this sum is insufficient but it could act as a lever for other public and private financing.
Perhaps the quality of the so-called capitalists who are at the bedside of the sick motivated this courageous and… desperate gesture! The initiative deserves support: Finally, someone who chooses to be the master of their own destiny.
Once again according to information, this time provided by the two judicial administrators, four other preliminary bids had been submitted: from the Société Normande d’Information et de Communication (publisher of Paris Normandie, Le Havre Libre, and Le Havre Presse), from the main shareholder of Libération Bruno Ledoux, and former owner of La Tribune and France-Soir Georges Ghosn, from the Belgian press group Rossel (Le Soir, La Voix du Nord, L’Union), this time associated with the Monegasque construction group Marzocco and the Franco-Lebanese businessman Iskandar Safa, and from the group Azur Santé Retraite.
Finally, it should be noted that Jean Icart, in his name and that of a Franco-Swiss financial group, had reached an agreement with the Hersant group but without paying the defined sum for the acquisition. However, to date, the judicial administrators remain silent on the final and complete list of potential buyers.
The Commercial Court will have to decide on the preference for the best file, which will certainly have to anticipate a profound restructuring of the company, which has been in deficit for several years. The advantage for the acquirer will be not to assume the liabilities estimated at 40 million euros.
An agreement had been reached with the unions for the departure of 160 people from the group, which, in its various companies and branches of activity, counts around 1,200 people.
After a first major financial crisis that led creditor banks to forgo 165 million in losses and a takeover (?) by the Tapie-Hersant duo and the subsequent division of La Provence and the Nice-Matin group between the two partners, a new slate will be left as a legacy by Mr. Hersant.
And they call this… capitalism!
