On September 9 and 10, we took part in the Forum Économique Breton (FEB), an event that brings together economic, institutional and academic stakeholders in Saint-Malo who are committed to the future of Brittany.
Two days dedicated to discussions, networking and knowledge sharing around the major challenges shaping the future of our regions and their economies.
This year’s edition focused on a central question: how can we strengthen the ability of our regions to produce, innovate and adapt to future transformations?
Through roundtables, Labs and discussions, three perspectives helped address this issue from different angles: the strategic role of industry, the conditions required for sustainable industrial sovereignty, and the transformations that Brittany’s agricultural sector will face by 2050.
Industry: A Strategic Asset for the Future of Our Regions
In a context shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and competitiveness challenges, the ability to produce locally is more strategic than ever for regional development.
This was the focus of our roundtable, “Industry: A Strategic Asset for the Future of Our Regions?”, organized during the FEB and featuring Guillaume Jouslin de Noray, General Manager of TIMAC AGRO International, alongside Anne-Sophie Alsif, Chief Economist at BDO, and Thierry Troesch, Regional Leader of France Industrie and President of STIndustries.
Competitiveness, innovation, skills and regional roots: the discussions highlighted that industrial performance is not driven by a single factor, but by the ability to combine all these levers effectively.
As Guillaume Jouslin de Noray pointed out:
“At TIMAC AGRO, industrial sovereignty begins with mastering our critical expertise. This mastery, built on experience and knowledge transfer, gives us the ability to adapt and represents a genuine competitive advantage.”
This approach reflects the conviction upheld by Groupe Roullier: a strong industry is also one that can innovate, develop talent and remain sustainably connected to the realities of its regions.
Producing, Financing, Defending: Rethinking Industrial Sovereignty
Industrial sovereignty cannot simply be declared. It must be built over time through investment in production facilities, innovation and skills.
This was the focus of the roundtable “Producing, Financing, Defending: The New Industrial Sovereignty”, where Camille Ollier, Head of Industrial Activities at TIMAC AGRO International, spoke alongside Laurence Fortin L’Hour, Vice-President of the Brittany Regional Council, Renaud Poye, Director of the Naval Group site in Brest, and Jean-Pierre Rivery, President of CCI Bretagne.
In Brittany, TIMAC AGRO relies in particular on three industrial sites, including two in Saint-Malo and one in Pontrieux. This local presence enables the company to manufacture agronomic solutions for Breton farmers while maintaining strong responsiveness and adaptability.
Because sovereignty also depends on innovation. Faced with dependence on certain raw materials, innovation helps identify new ways to optimize resource use and strengthen industry’s capacity to adapt.
As Camille Ollier explains:
“Innovation allows us to transform the constraints of our sector into drivers of performance and sovereignty.”
This approach is notably supported by the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier (CMI Roullier) in Saint-Malo, where research teams develop solutions aimed at improving nutrient efficiency and rapidly adapting formulations according to available resources.
Brittany’s Agricultural Landscape in 2050: Anticipating Risks, Seizing Opportunities
Sovereignty also relies on productive, sustainable and resilient agriculture capable of meeting the essential needs of our population.
This was precisely the topic addressed by Maxime Godart, General Manager of TIMAC AGRO France, during the Lab entitled “Brittany’s Agricultural Landscape in 2050: Risks and Opportunities”, organized by Forvis Mazars alongside Cyril Caram, Frédéric David, Pierre Dupeyroux, Emmanuel Saudrais and Anthony Spitaels.
Farmers, food industry stakeholders, transition experts and finance professionals shared their perspectives on the impact of climate change on Brittany’s agricultural models, as well as on the levers available to anticipate these changes.
Maxime Godart summarized the challenge as follows:
“Every day, our teams work alongside farmers and witness the accelerating climate, economic and regulatory challenges they face. Our role is to support them by developing innovative, practical solutions tailored to realities in the field.”
This close relationship with farmers is a key asset in supporting future transformations and developing solutions adapted to real-world needs.
Two Days to Share Perspectives and Strengthen Collaboration
Across these three discussions, a common conviction emerged: responses to major economic, industrial and agricultural challenges cannot be developed in isolation.
They rely on dialogue between businesses, institutions, industrial leaders, farmers, researchers and regional stakeholders. They also require continued investment in innovation, skills development and production capabilities.
These two days in Saint-Malo provided an opportunity to challenge perspectives, share experiences and enrich reflection on the conditions needed for the sustainable and resilient development of Brittany’s regions.
Continuing to Make Industry a Driver of Regional Development
For us, industry is both a production tool, a driver of innovation and a source of regional anchoring.
Participating in the Forum Économique Breton also means contributing to a collective reflection on how we want to produce, innovate and build the future of our regions.
Thank you to the FEB, the speakers Christina Balanos, Laurence Fortin, Jean-Pierre Rivery, Renaud Poye, Cyril Caram, Frédéric David, Pierre Dupeyroux, Emmanuel Saudrais, Anthony Spitaels, Anne-Sophie Alsif, Thierry Troesch and Géraldine Lance-Perrin, as well as all participants, for the richness of these discussions.