Forges de Tarbes enters judicial recovery

The Forges de Tarbes, the only factory in France producing hollow shell casings, has been placed in judicial recovery by the Tarbes commercial court on Monday. This move opens the door for a potential buyer to take over the strategic company.

Minister discusses factory’s future

During a hearing before the Senate's committee on foreign affairs, defense, and armed forces on Tuesday, October 27, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, was questioned about the factory's situation. She mentioned that the government is in dialogue with four industrial candidates to take over the company's expertise.

Importance of the factory’s expertise

Catherine Vautrin emphasized the "extremely important expertise" of the Forges de Tarbes site, noting that France needs 155-millimeter shells and therefore needs these shell casings. She reiterated her goal of ensuring the long-term viability of the industrial facility.

Complaint filed over management

In mid-October, the Direction générale pour l'Armement announced it had filed a complaint with the public prosecutor regarding the management of the Forges de Tarbes by its owner, the fund Europlasma. The complaint centers on the sale of the factory's walls "in March 2026" by Europlasma.

Discrepancy in timeline revealed

According to Catherine Vautrin, the sale of the factory's walls was announced to employees "in September 2026," but this statement is false. During an audition in the National Assembly in April, Jérôme Garnache-Creuillot, CEO of Europlasma, had already publicly discussed the sale, describing it as a "lease-back operation."

Europlasma’s acquisition and challenges

The Europlasma group purchased the Tarbes site in 2021. Despite an increase in production, the publicly stated goals were never achieved, and the machines are described as "obsolete" by some employees. The factory was ordered by the prefecture in early October to "regularize their situation" by the end of the year regarding their "pressure equipment" under threat of sanctions.

Other Europlasma sites in trouble

Two other Europlasma sites are also facing difficulties. The Fonderie de Bretagne is in judicial liquidation, while the northern metallurgist Valdunes is seeking a buyer.