A diversified economy
Strong presence of agriculture
The employment zone is structured by the RN 145 (Centre- Europe Atlantic route), which leads to the polarization of the population around the Guéret-La Souterraine axis. The road leads to the A20 as well as the A71.
Over 60s represent a third of the inhabitants. Less than a third of the population live in the urban areas.
Agriculture employs a share of the labour force that is significantly higher than the regional average. Industrial jobs are underrepresented among the active population.
Three economic centres:
Guéret, La Souterraine, Boussac
Almost a half of industrial jobs depend on the metallurgy and metal working sector, twice the regional level. A great deal of investment has been made in the modernization of the tools of production, in particular by the two main industrial employers, Dagard and Wagon Automotive. The car equipment sector has been strengthened by the creation in Guéret of an establishment belonging to the Montluçon company, Amis. Domestic equipment is well-represented thanks in particular to Sauthon (a national leader in furniture for babies), Pognon Genève (children’s goods) and Carmafix (jewellery).
Textiles for clothing may be considered as gone and has lost half its staff in ten years, mainly in fine lingerie.
Conversely, the wood industries have seen a steady increase in their staffing levels over the same period, like Cosylva, in Bourganeuf (building components in gluedlaminated timber).
La Souterraine is home to the head office of Picoty SA, the main independent distributor of fuels under the brand name and through the Avia network.
Technology businesses
The employment zone has welcomed several significant investments like Amis and Emix, a technology company specializing in the manufacture of silicon wafers for the production of photovoltaic cells.
In addition, a plan to experiment with an approach devoted to domestic automation in Guéret is currently being studied.
Training in niche sectors
Higher specialist training courses are run in La Souterraine, in particular in the graphics chain (Design - 2 BTS, Raymond-Loewy lycée), and environmental sectors (Management of water resources and production - a professional qualification at the Limousin IUT and OIEau). In addition, the “Office international de l’eau (OIEau)”, or international water office, trains professionals in the treatment of drinking and waste water at its centre in La Souterraine where it has a technological and training platform that is unique in Europe (practical work in real-life situations).