In a decision that is likely to hurt the business of its affiliate Bull HN Information Systems in countries led by the US and the UK, where state control of industry is regarded as an assault on free market principles, French Industry Minister Roger Fauroux told the Assemblee Nationale that the computer industry was a strategic sector of paramount importance and that there was no question of privatising Groupe Bull. Fauroux, answering deputies’ questions about the 5,000 additional redundancies worldwide planned by Bull, said that the company had the full support of the government in its restructuring plan. Only the state has the resources to put into play the capital necessary to enable Bull to reattain the level of greatness that is its right, declared Fauroux. Meanwhile Bull has given more details of its reorganisation in France, saying that manufacture of Unix computers in Echirolles will end in March 1991 – a decision taken as long ago as 1988, with the work being transferred to the main computer plant at Angers. Echirolles will then become dedicated 100% to development of Unix software, making it the world headquarters for Unix development for the entire group, with 500 employees in 1991. As for Massy, the microcomputer subassembly work it does will be transferred to Villeneuve d’Ascq. Massy, which loses 200 of its 1,300 employ ees in the process, will then speci alise in research and development of Unix products, workstations, network applications, and engineering work. The changes underline the crucial role that Bull now confers on Unix.
