In the center of Villefranche-sur-Saône, the two huge stainless steel chimneys of the Blédina factory will no longer smoke in 2027. The brand’s historic factory, founded in 1881 by pharmacist Léon Jacquemaire, which has been producing the famous Blédine for babies here for 120 years, will close. Still visible on the gate of the building now owned by the Danone group, the name of the pharmacist who died in 1907 has stood the test of time.
In his laboratory specializing in the fortification of food preparations, Jacquemaire and his colleague Maurice Miguet had the brilliant idea to develop a replacement food for newborns with milk intolerance: Blédine was born – refined wheat flour. The two pharmacists want to fight infant mortality and adolescent malnutrition. Immediate success.
This product will soon be available in all homes in France. OWN Villefranche-sur-Saône, the stronghold of this brand, from generation to generation of residents has succeeded one another in Blédina. Currently, there are still 117 people running the factory. Many are not experiencing golden times, but rather difficult years. Because, since 2007, Blédine’s production has continued to decline: it lost 50% of its volume (less than 10,000 tonnes produced).
The factory also lost the Cracotte market, which represented 35% of its activity. In this context, the Danone group has decided to close the site. A brutal decision announced to staff last week. Employees and townspeople alike were shocked. “We didn’t expect it at all. Danone has invested a lot in its production equipment,” said an employee who did not want to be named (staff were instructed not to talk pending negotiations). Still, he delivered his message: “Without attendance bonuses, it will be difficult to maintain motivation through closing.”
“This is my whole life, my Proust Madeleine!” »
In Villefranche-sur-Saône, multinationals claim to have tried everything to save the Blédina factory, which is losing momentum: they have injected 134 million euros in funds over the last ten years. The amount is unfortunately not enough to relaunch the activity. “We knew things were going to be bad. Tonnage was down drastically. But we didn’t think we would lose jobs. » With the closure of Blédina, it is the last historic company in Villefranche-sur-Saône set to disappear.
For residents met Monday downtown, the decision was a disaster. “The industrial gems of Calados are disappearing one by one. Villefranche-sur-Saône will become a ghost town! », warns a pensioner. Another resident I met in the city center already misses the sweet aroma of Blédine that marked his childhood and that will no longer be separated from the factory: “Blédina is my whole life. This is my Madeleine from Proust. »
What hurts them the most? To learn that Blédine production will be moved to Poland. What the union denounces: “This new project undermines local production and endangers the future of baby food in our country. The closure of this location is a worrying signal for our food sovereignty. » They demand guarantees for all employees and invite the management of the Danone group to consult immediately to explore all alternatives… Including the maintenance of activities in Villefranche-sur-Saône.
