DongFeng, after taking a media stake but minority (14%) in PSA Peugeot, is also interested in French SMEs.
A niche market for the Chinese giant with 160,000 employees, Centigon (CA: €34 million) has developed expertise in the armouring of passenger vehicles or cash trucks.
The company, located in Lamballe, in the heart of Brittany, employs 178 employees accustomed to foreign management since this is its fourth change of hands after the Belgian Carat Duchatel, the English BAE Sytems and the American Armor Holdings.
After the 50 jobs created in Carhaix by Synutrans, China shows that it is not only destructive of jobs in France.
After large groups (Club Med), Chinese companies are increasingly interested in French SMEs that benefit from know-how that can be exported to the Middle Kingdom.
For more information : Ouest France, Le Télégramme