Press distribution in France finally sees the end of the tunnel. The Commercial Court of Paris validates the takeover bid for Presstalis made by the cooperative of daily newspapers and several magazine groups. And Presstalis becomes France Messagerie.
France Messagerie is operational as of today, says Presstalis in a final press release. In its very first tweet, the new distributor states : "Our ambition: to be THE transparent, agile and professional press distribution company, capable of meeting the challenges of the industry in the coming years."
"The suspension of payments by Presstalis has left a number of publishers in a fragile situation, has impoverished the network of distributors and has hurt the company after the necessary staff reductions and the liquidation of certain entities of the group", says Louis Dreyfus, Chairman of the Management Board of Le Monde and the daily newspaper cooperative, in the World . "From tomorrow, France Messagerie will have to work tirelessly to perpetuate its economic model and offer publishers a quality service, while guaranteeing their financial flows."
Highly indebted, the company which handled 75% of press distribution in France was in filed for bankruptcy since the end of April . Mid-May several of its regional subsidiaries (SAD and Soprocom) which employed over 500 people, had been liquidated.
Press distribution was severely disrupted, particularly in Lyon and Marseille.
And no agreement for the relaunch of Presstalis had been reached between the two groups of publishers that make up Presstalis, the magazine cooperative, which is 73% owned by Presstalis, and the newspaper cooperative (27%).
Louis Dreyfus adds: "With the trade unions, France Messagerie will continue the ongoing discussions to remove the last blockages and allow the press to be distributed throughout the country and broadcasters to be supplied once again on a daily basis." .
