International Headlines and Stories

 

For once it is not Airbus which organizes the festival, but ATR, the second aircraft manufacturer based in Toulouse, in the shadow of European giant. Equal subsidiary of EADS and Italy's Finmeccanica, the manufacturer of regional aircraft propeller book on Thursday, Air Nostrum, Iberia subsidiary of Spanish, the thousandth machine out of its assembly site.

A symbolic milestone for ATR's plans to increase its production by 60%, to 54 aircraft per year in 2010 to 70 this year to reach 80 to 90 per year by 2014. At the same time, its turnover has to go from 1.3 to 2 billion.

Consequently, extensions are underway on the site and "hundreds of jobs will be doubled," said Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO. ATR employs 1,000 people in Toulouse and in 6000 made working in France and Italy with subcontracting. Sitting on a record backlog representing three years of delivery, ATR new ambitions: "it is possible to reach the 2,000 aircraft delivered within ten to fifteen years," says the president.

China threat

To listen, you almost forget that the company, founded in 1981 with the launch of the ATR 300, narrowly escaped death in 2004 with a backlog of five aircraft. The manufacturer was the victim of the craze for jets that, throughout the 1990s, have conquered the regional aviation market while surfing a bit expensive oil.

"Our shareholders have been clear. They did not put the key under the door but had to hold ATR not to lose money, be in equilibrium. We therefore reduced the size of the company. It was that or death, "recalls Filippo Bagnato. ATR gathers her remaining strength to attract new customers. "We had to sell the plane three times to the airline, to subcontractors who were reluctant to invest and banks." ATR increases its range and benefits of soaring oil prices which increase operating costs of a regional jet. Propeller airplanes take their revenge. This is the slaughter. Only Canada's Bombardier and ATR survive, but not Saab, Fokker, Dornier, Jetstream, Fairchild … The airlines have their accounts: in the same journey, the "turboprop" consumes two times less fuel than a jet.

Despite its success, the manufacturer remains vigilant. The turboprop market is promising – with a projected delivery of 3,000 units from 50 to 90 seats in the next 20 years. It arouses desires. ATR expects a reaction which should give Bombardier a successor to its Q-400. He is also concerned about competition from China. "China has had limited success with the M 60 which is nothing more than an evolution of a Russian aircraft. But it launched a 70-seat aircraft and is considering a 90-seat aircraft, "said Filippo Bagnato. The M 700, a copy of ATR according to experts, is being developed. It is expected on the market within three to four years.

To stay ahead, ATR continues "feasibility analysis" on a larger aircraft with 90 seats. The development of a new propeller device costs twice cheaper than a jet – less than $ 2 billion. But the decision belongs to EADS and Finmeccanica.

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Global consumption of wine is finding colors in 2011. It increases from 0.7% to 241.9 million hectoliters (hl). She stopped and started a downward cycle since 2007. "It seems that the worst is behind us. This does not mean that an immediate return to pre-crisis growth is confirmed, relativizes Federico Castellucci, Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). In addition to unfavorable economic factors, changes in consumption patterns continue to see recovery in the major producing countries, such as the EU. "Indeed, European consumers now favor quality over quantity. This, however, are the Americans and Chinese who support sales.

47.4 liters per capita in France

In detail, the world's largest market, that is to say the EU wine consumption fell by nearly one million hectoliters last year, mainly due to degradation economic conditions in countries of this area and a change in customer behavior. Italian consumption shows a sharp decline of around 1.6 million hl (- 6.3%), as Spain and Britain, but to a lesser extent. Germany, meanwhile, has stagnated.

Only exception in this bleak picture: French consumption increases significantly (3.5%), almost 30 million hl. This increase is explained by massive purchases of wine last year on French territory by foreign tourists easy payday loans. But the OIV can not be quantified precisely. Single index, consumption rises officially in France to 47.4 liters per capita. Net purchases of tourism, it would be some 40 liters per person, a level close to that of Italy to 37.4 liters.

French cognac and champagne appreciated

For their part, the United States, second world market volume, estimated to have grown 0.9 hl (nearly triple the 2009 and 2010) and 28.5 Mhl approach. Americans like French cognac and champagne. Example: for the Charente house Courvoisier, "remains our largest market outside the U.S. where we sell 48.5 million bottles of brandy a year, or nearly 30% of our annual exports," said its president, Patrick Pinet.

China also exports have increased with the increasing popularity of a population easier for wine products. "Since 2001, exports of French wine and spirits increased by 3700%, three quarters of which relate to the claret and brandy," says Nicolas Ozanam, Delegate General for CFTS (Federations of exports of wines and spirits).

Result, world trade in wine in 2011 reached over $ 103.5 million hl, up 7.9%.

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Seen from France, in its presidential campaign when it comes to rescue of ailing industrial sites, the remarks by Sergio Marchionne, the boss of Fiat-Chrysler, on the European car should react. For him, there is no alternative but to radically reshape the European car factories.

"The industry faces overcapacity of about 20%, especially on small cars, pulling prices down: this is why almost nobody makes money in Europe. This inability to sell all the products we sell, that's exactly the problem faced by the United States in 2007-2008. But there, American manufacturers have closed 20% of their capacity and, now, they win money, "says Le Figaro who is this year president of the Association of European manufacturers (ACEA).

The same evils, the same remedies. The boss of Fiat-Chrysler considers it necessary to remove the 20% in Europe of excess production capacity, more than 3 million cars, which could, according to experts, lead by a dozen plant closings. "We have no choice, launching this adjustment process and then start again from scratch on a sound basis. It will be painful for twelve months, but let's do it! "

The picture that Sergio Marchionne to the situation of the European car is "horrible". He expects this year the market fell for the fifth consecutive year, "5%". And sees no recovery before 2014, and again, at a speed not "crazy." "Meanwhile, we must build on this interval to restructure and get the full benefits of the restructuring when the market recovers."

"It would be the best thing that could happen" because the area in 2008 missed a "huge opportunity" to "streamline" its operations.

According to him, "it is for Europe to support this transition, because, individually, the governments of various countries will not do." Sergio Marchionne noted that in France the state has helped manufacturers provided they do not close plants, while the "U.S. has rather pushed to restructure two groups during their bankruptcy." We must now a "coordinated effort" at European level so that "the pain is shared" so "rational".

With redundancies

"If Europe stops this restructuring, the manufacturers will not invest enough to modernize their production and move upmarket," he says.

Europe could also establish a "financial support mechanism" to cope with redundancies. Anyway, it will take a "social welfare system provides the transition," so as to give the "care and attention" to the employees concerned. Leaves, he hopes, that the industry gets back to hire when it will be healthier.

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Starbucks is more determined than ever to tackle Nespresso. The U.S. coffee chain announced the launch before next summer vacation an espresso coffee machine equipped with a high pressure extraction system. The high-end system, called verismo, was designed in partnership with the German group Krüger. It will work with the Starbucks brand capsules.

Verismo will, initially, sold online, in a selection of chain restaurants and in specialized distributors, while the United States, Canada and "certain international markets." No details were given about the distribution strategy of the capsules (the Internet, in supermarkets …) and their prices.

"France is one of the markets under consideration, such as England or Germany in Europe, said Olivier de Mendez, director of marketing France. But for now, the agreement concerns only the U.S. and Canada. "

"The coffee segment fastest growing"

This launch marks a new stage in the desire for conquest driven by Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, which took over the reins of the company in 2008. Recently asked by Le Figaro (our editions of March 3), he did not want hidden stick as closely to the expectations of customers, wherever they are. In town, in malls, but also "in stations, airports, restaurants, trains and hotels."

The founder will therefore also continue to their home, with this offer premium caps, a growing market. "This segment is the one with the strongest growth in the coffee sector," explains Howard Schultz. "At group level, this is an important innovation that allows people to replicate the Starbucks experience at home, says Olivier de Mendez. The machine will make espresso, latte, coffee and coffee filters lying. "" We now have the opportunity to reach millions of consumers, "commented Jeff Hansberry, in charge of developing distribution channels.

Years ago that Starbucks is trying to sell his coffee out of his own restaurants. A strategy not so easy to implement. The chain, which was allied with Kraft to sell coffee in bags in supermarkets, became angry with the giant global agribusiness and broke the partnership.

Record results last year

In March 2011, Starbucks announced an alliance with the first Keurig and Green Mountain in the machinery sector and pods. This agreement resulted in development since November Keurig machines offering drinks Starbucks in grocery stores and supermarkets. 100 million pods were sold, according to Starbucks. But Keurig machines are low pressure, which does not allow them to make espresso. They offer five different varieties of coffee, but only filter, and two teas.

The announcement of the new agreement between Starbucks and Krüger caused a plunge in stock prices from Green Mountain this weekend. The boss of Starbucks has yet assured that this partnership remained "solid". The stock market especially liked his strategy of moving upmarket. Last year, the company announced record results, and she is determined to put a boost in Europe.

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In the sports world, too, women were honored today. Gathered in Barcelona for the Global Sports Forum around a round table on women and sport, many iconic figures in women's sport (Conchita Martinez, Natalia Via Dufresne, Maria Vasco …) are back on the steps, the determinants and difficulties in their careers.

Difficulties that often go for female athletes on the side of the portfolio. As in a traditional business, where wage differences between men and women reach 20% in favor of men, women athletes are often less rewarded for equal performance. Less publicized, women's sports breaststroke often much less money than her male counterpart. For example, the Blue French football earn on average between 1500 and 2000 euros per month, against 42,000 euros for a player in Ligue 1, which thus is not necessarily at the international level. Therefore, the ability of an athlete to match the income of her male counterparts to take over its ability to sell its image among brands, to improve athletic performance.

Brands begin gently female sponsorship

However, "few sponsors invest in women" analysis Yannick Puaux, founder manager of Hamaé Council payday advance. "Their resources are not sufficient to consider it not to work after their sporting career. In the end, nothing very different to male / female ratio in ordinary society where, to access the same professional status, at the same level of professional remuneration or benefit from the same quarry, we must do more than men. "

As for event organizers, attitudes are changing, however slowly. In recent years, the tournament at Roland Garros and Wimbledon distribute the same earnings for men and women, or about 1.2 million euros for the tournament winners of the Porte d'Auteuil, and those in the capital in London. Faced with these ad hoc efforts, inequality remains a persistent problem that continues once hung up the cleats. "The conversion of women is also more difficult, says Yannick Puaux. They must keep a job more often in parallel and be concerned for their retirement earlier. "

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Insurers want to conquer the savings of the middle classes. The French have a significant financial wealth but less than one million euros often feel ill-advised by large banks, where private banking is reserved for the wealthy. It is into this breach that insurers dream of rush.

A year ago, France launched its program Allianz Allianz First to seduce investors to assets exceeding EUR 250,000. If they join Allianz Fisrt, they become preferred customers, recognized in all the networks of the insurer. They enjoy a range of high quality investments, with conditions more favorable pricing, a dedicated website on heritage issues, or telephone support 7 days 7 to answer all their questions and legal other tax anxieties. They are entitled to invitations to shows and conferences, a sign of recognition. And most importantly, advice on measures. "Heritage poles were created throughout France for general agents. They offer the support of consultants responsible for meeting with clients to analyze their needs and recommend solutions to their problems, "explains Jacques Caba, director of Allianz Private Bank.

Within months, 4,700 clients have already joined the program. This year, Allianz expands this device entrepreneurs, creating the First Circle. And is already the market of private banking. "Insurers are traditionally not present in this segment, rather allotted to banks guaranteed payday loans. They have only 5% of this market, and a gap to fill, "added Jacques Caba.

Axa has already taken a step ahead

MMA and MAAF are available, they, of commercials to tout their excellent advisors or skills in wealth management. Axa has already taken a step ahead. In 2008, just before the crisis, the insurer Axa has launched Exclusiv, a program focusing on the heritage council, to retain the investors with 100,000 to 500,000 euros of financial wealth. "Either in France 2.6 million households and 50% of the savings market value," said Nicolas Deschamps, director of market savings tributary of Axa. The group offers advice (with annual meeting with heritage specialists of the insurer) and insiders', as an outstanding communication in times of crisis)

.

"Insurers have realized they would have difficulty competing with banks in the savings market consumer. These files have a formidable business efficiency. However, the savings market more upscale, the sinews of war is the board. And insurance companies that have large sales forces have strengths to win, "added Olivier Potellet, CEO of Legal & General. The initial results are inconclusive. Axa, the average purchase amount on investments increased by 50% for clients Axa Exclusiv.

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One can enjoy the river traffic and see a very dim view of Voguéo expansion projects, the public transport network on the Seine. While the Syndicat des transports d'Ile-de-France (Stif) until March 3 launches public consultation on its new project Voguéo providing three transmission lines serving 31 stops between Suresnes and Vitry-sur-Seine, several sailing clubs West Paris began to give voice. After mobilizing their members, they come to question the Sports Minister, David Douillet, in a letter.

According to them, canoeing-kayaking, rowing and sailing would be greatly threatened in western Paris by the arrival of motorized shuttles Voguéo. The nautical base of the island of Sir, Sevres, would be most affected. Opened in 2007 this space accommodates 900 oarsmen, 500 followers of canoeing and sailing fans from 150 clubs from neighboring villages (Sevres, Boulogne-Billancourt, Saint Cloud, Ville d'Avray and Chaville).

"There are quite some barges in our area but then with water buses with 150 seats running every ten minutes (runs every 20 minutes in both directions), it would be really possible," says Francois Banton President ACBB rowing, the biggest club occupying the premises.

Condemnation of water activities

These water activities are practiced in calm water and it takes several minutes after the passage of a big boat that caused the stir constantly. Besides the security problems created by passing shuttles, unlike barges, from one bank to another. Eventually, the associations believe that the project would condemn outright the activity of their members and 15 employees they employ.

"We did not necessarily identified this aspect of things by launching our project, we admit to Stif. But it's also why is the public consultation. "For now, the project will start in 2013. Meanwhile, the website vogueo.fr that collects users' comments recensait originally an enthusiastic majority of opinions is an increasing number of protests rowers who spread the word to defend their favorite pastime.

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Finished playing. The High Authority for the dissemination of works and protection of rights on the Internet (Hadopi) has started to send their records to justice. They relate to users who have been singled three times for illegal downloading of music, movies or television series. They are part of the 2 to 4 million French who consume 80% of the bandwidth of the Hexagon, as estimated by the French Federation of Telecom.

Failing to respond to warnings of Internet Piracy, these users will now have to answer for their acts before a police court. Guilty of "failure to monitor Internet access," they risk a fine of up to 1500 euros. In addition, the judge may request a break from their Internet access for a month at most.

Less than 165 files concerned

Potentially, this is less than 165 records are concerned. This is indeed the number of cases examined at the end of December 2011, the Commission for Protection of Rights (CDP) of the Hadopi. The latter calls the Internet before deciding repeat the referral of their case in court. These cases represent a fraction of the 822,000 users who received a first warning of Internet Piracy since October 2010. Email, they are warned that their "Internet access has been used to commit acts, recognized by the minutes, which may constitute a criminal offense." In this case, "to make available, reproduce or access to cultural works protected by copyright."

Exactly 68,343 of these users have been a second warning of Hadopi, sent by registered letter. And it was only after having been caught out a third time that people are summoned by the CDP. Of the 165 offenders, some users were not presented. And therefore even more likely to have to explain himself before a judge.

Credibility issue

The Hadopi declined to specify the number of cases sent to court same day payday loans. It is also not a finite process but a sending "streaming" to the floors of residential Internet users. It also did not specify the profile of these offenders diligent, their case is now within the justice.

One thing is certain, however: Hadopi sent "folders better built," says a source close to the administrative authority. In other words, the Hadopi hope the case will result in a sanction forwarded copy. For this first salvo justify ultimately the validity of the Hadopi system and graduated response, challenged by the Socialist candidate for president, Francois Hollande. "We have always said that the credibility of the device based on a combination of education and punishment," said Roger and Jerome, Director General of UPFI (Union of French independent record producers). Transferring records to justice "is therefore part of the normal implementation of graduated response," said the representative of independent producers.

The Hadopi has taken the time to tie up his files before proceeding to the final stage. "For several months it is about 100 to 150 files ready to be sent for trial in our discussions with Internet Piracy," says one well among beneficiaries. "The third phase, we will be very cautious. Our goal is not to refer as many people in court, "had also warned Marie-Françoise Marais, president of Internet Piracy, last June, when the" Media Buzz Orange-Le Figaro ", citing" a number relatively small "folders. Their fate is now in the hands of justice.

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The markets are down conviction Thursday. The CAC 40 fell by more than 2% in early trade then turned around, earning up to 1% in the morning. But mid-term is a reluctance to wait still dominates, the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse advancing 0.8% to 3099.48 points. The day before, the CAC 40 lost 2.17% to below 3100 points.

As on Wall Street and Asian stock markets, doubt seized investors, who are now considering the worst: a contagion of debt in the eurozone. With the center of these concerns, the situation in Italy, including the implementation of austerity measures remains uncertain. The announcement yesterday of the upcoming departure of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has in fact added to the uncertainty, as evidenced by soaring rates in ten years the Italian Treasury payday loan.Interest rates at one year paid by the Italian Treasury this morning reached a new record during a test program.

The concerns of the operators in the financial markets move increasingly towards France. This morning, the rates of French government bonds to ten years has exceeded 3.30%.

Unison concerns of investors, Brussels found the Italian debt situation "very worrying". Ditto for the International Monetary Fund: its director Christine Lagarde said today that "lack of political clarity" in Italy supplied the uncertainties, according to Reuters.

New commercial breakthrough for the Airbus A380. This time in Russia. Transaero Airlines, the second Russian company after Aeroflot, has signed with the European aircraft manufacturer a Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of four super-jumbos for $ 1.2 billion (at list prices).

Transaero is the company to launch the A380 in Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe. "I am sure that the launch of this device very high capacity will stimulate the development of aviation in Russia, particularly in terms of airport infrastructure (…)», said Olga Pleshakov, CEO of Transaero Airlines. It opted for a passenger can carry 700 passengers, which will be converted into three classes.

For John Leahy, the Airbus super-salesman, "the A380 has a high potential in the Russian market.""We believe that passenger traffic in the region will grow 5.6% annually over the next twenty years." In its latest study of twenty years, Boeing estimates in turn that the needs of Russian companies will revolve around 1000 units including 700 medium-haul aircraft like A 320 and B 737, worth $ 110 billion by 2030.

16 million passengers and 400,000 flight hours

With the command Russian Airbus reached a new milestone payday loans. He recorded 28 orders and purchase intentions this year, marked by the signing of a first contract in Japan with Skymark A380. Overall, the A380 has been ordered to 236 copies per 18 airlines. 59 aircraft have been delivered since October 2007 with the first delivery to Singapore Airlines."That leaves 177 to be delivered which represents four years of work," says a spokesman for Airbus.

From the production side, Airbus is on track to reach its cruising speed is 3 units per month in the second half of 2012. Since late September, the industrial rate is 2.3 per month super-jumbos. This year, Airbus has already delivered 18 aircraft, has set a target of 25 A380s by the end of December.

The manufacturer estimated that the pace in the coming years is to sign at least 25 new orders a year, a level equivalent to its annual production. Airbus will celebrate the end of November the arrival of the 100th convoy giant Lagardère assembly hall. The kit aircraft (six pieces) is sent by road from the port of Bordeaux to Toulouse.

In service for four years, the A380 continues to conquer the global skies. He joins 26 cities in the world.