The Caen conurbation’s nautical sector has just added a new string to its bow with the inauguration of an enterprise zone and business centre. Baptised Norlanda, the complex also welcomes the Association pour la Plaisance Eco-Responsable (Association for Eco-responsible boating) to coordinate boat dismantling.

“Aimed at developing Normandy’s nautical economy, ” according to Synergia’s director Pascal Hurel, Norlanda, located near the Nouveau Bassin on the Caen la Mer port peninsula, is the first of its kind in France. Enterprise zone, but also business centre, Norlanda is a 2 hectare complex with buildings covering 13,000m2. “The project dates back to 2002, whereas the Norlanda programme emerged in 2004,” recalls Mathieu Desramé, Syerngia’s enterprise zone manager and the project coordinator.

In 2005, Caen la Mer seized an opportunity to purchase the KDI premises, situation 150 metres from the canal (now linked via an appropriate roadway). Rehabilitation work could then be launched (2006). Open since last October, Norlanda is already a success story. Eleven businesses have moved to its workshops and offices to launch their activity (enterprise zone/incubator for the business’s creation phase, then a business centre for its development). “A total of 45 people representing 10 different professions for an accumulated turnover of 2.5 million Euros, only 8 months after its launch,” he calculates. 10 of the 11 offices and 5 of the 7 workshops are already occupied. Shortly, 9,000m2 of industrial hangars and a further 600m2 of office space will also be made available. “We are hoping to provide an offer that suits budding nautical businesses, with resources and shared services, along with flexible business accommodation. Norlanda is there to enable new companies to take root and to accompany young businesses, fresh from the enterprise zone, during their development,” adds Mathieu Desramé.
Duly charmed, the French Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN) has established the APER (National Association for Eco-responsible Boating) there. Since the partnership agreement signed in 2004, the FIN and the Caen la Mer Urban Community have joined forces to consider the future of out of use boats. A dismantling programme entitled BPHU - “Bateaux de Plaisance Hors d’Usage” (out of use sailing boats), the product of 3 years’ reflexion since 2002, was finally officially launched in 2005, during a Synergia breakfast debate within the port of Caen. Four years later, and faced with the difficult task of identifying and listing the boats involved, the idea to open dismantling centres has been abandoned and the National Association for Eco-responsible Boating (APER), created in Caen, will now be taking on this environmental challenge. “After years of study, we are now capable, with the association’s involvement, of providing a suitable offer to sailing enthusiasts and of assessing the volume to be dealt with.

The APER will be organising and coordinating the sector via a network of information points throughout France, and will be the national contact,” explains Philippe Fourrier, managing director of the French Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN). After breakfast, during the round table, the discussion continued to develop on subjects such as innovation, new materials, new processes and new practices. “In times of crisis, a business needs to differentiate itself, hence to innovate, throughout the entire value chain,” explained Stéphane Constance, managing director of Allures Yachting and chairman of the AFINN - Association de la Filière Industrielle Nautique Normande (Association of Normandy’s Industrial Nautical Industry).
“It’s essential that we optimise the boats we are preparing for tomorrow’s market,” added François Rougier, from Rougier Ingénieurie, “and to create new markets”, according to Arnaud Lample (Shoreteam), but there is also, “an urgent need to reinvent, to revive the senses, to contemplate new behaviours; tomorrow’s demand will be different from today’s,” according to the naval architect, Marc Van Peteghem (VPLP). And the enterprise zone is there to enable them to accomplish it all. Photo caption Norlanda, Caen la Mer’s nautical enterprise zone, was inaugurated on the 11th of June, in the presence of its patron, the pole vaulter become yachtsman, Jean Galfione. Mathieu Desramé, Director of Synergia’s enterprise zones. Philippe Fourrier, Managing director of the French Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN).

Jean Galfione, Norlanda’s patron A sportsman with an atypical career, Jean Galfione is the personification of the Norlanda spirit. “This enterprise zone is an inspiration to me. It has offered me an opportunity for interesting encounters and has truly opened my mind.” The former Olympic pole vault champion is now enjoying his life-long passion: sailing. He has participated in the Americas Cup, Transat AG2R, J80 Championship.

Mathieu Desramé
Director of Synergia’s enterprise zones - Tél. : 02 31 46 74 53

Eric LECLERE
APER - Tél. : 0 805 400 867

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