The changing base

Fourchambault in the départment of Nièvre is home to a military base where army vehicles are maintained. However, restructuring plans prompted a decision to subcontract out this activity in working condition. In this town of five thousand people, such a decision would have disastrous economic and social consequences. The contract conditions recommended that this activity and all the existing materials and equipment should be kept on site in order to preserve jobs and local know-how. The solution, which was extremely difficult to set up, was for a private contractor to take over operations on site under conditions which showed that the French state wanted this change to be as satisfactory as possible for all concerned. General Berthélémy puts the issues of these unique changes into perspective. Apart from the very important impact that such a change might have on a medium-sized town, this textbook case might be used to inspire operations on an even greater scale.