Interview with Mr François Servantie, Director of the Normandy Nitrogen Company in Harfleur, France

OPCW Chemical Disarmament — March 2003, pp. 17-18

Mr François Servantie is a mechanical and electrical engineer, who is presently Director of the Normandy Nitrogen Company, in Harfleur, France. Prior to his present assignment, he was the Director of the Azolacq de Pardies Factory between 1989 to 1992. Mr Servantie is a member of the Board of the UIC Normandy, AUPAES and ICC Le Havre. Mr Servantie obtained a bachelor of arts in Science and a master’s degree from the Ecole Spéciale de Mécanique et d'Electricité (Higher College of Mechanics and Electrics) Paris, France.

Mr François Servantie is a mechanical and electrical engineer, who is presently Director of the Normandy Nitrogen Company, in Harfleur, France. Prior to his present assignment, he was the Director of the Azolacq de Pardies Factory between 1989 to 1992. Mr Servantie is a member of the Board of the UIC Normandy, AUPAES and ICC Le Havre. Mr Servantie obtained a bachelor of arts in Science and a master’s degree from the Ecole Spéciale de Mécanique et d'Electricité (Higher College of Mechanics and Electrics) Paris, France.

Please describe the manner in which your company supported/supports the OPCW Associate Programme?

After an enquiry by Mr Jean-Michel Uytterhaegen, who is the Director of the Technical Department of the French Chemical Industries Union, we contacted the OPCW to organise a stage [training programme] on our Le Havre premises for 2 participants in the Associate Programme 2001. The training took place over 10 weeks, during which we provided the stagiaires [trainees] with offices, computer equipment, and supplies necessary for their mission. Their training gave them an understanding of how our plant works and of the risks associated with our products. We took advantage of the presence of two such capable stagiaires; set them two tasks to deal with, to improve the functioning of production units.

How do you think the objectives of the Associate Programme relate to the industry's "Responsible Care" policy?

Any chemical industry must, as a matter of priority for production itself, apply a policy and techniques for prevention of the risks associated with that production, both in operations involving manufacture, packing and transporting the products, and at the point of use. The OPCW Associate Programme, as a tool oriented towards the enhancement of technical safety, is in complete harmony with the principles worked out in our plant, where we always seek to achieve zero accidents. Furthermore, in these times of attacks and accidents, collaboration with an organisation dedicated to the struggle against chemical weapons can only support the spotless reputation which our industry must retain.

Based on your experience with the two participants of the Associate Programme 2001 who were placed with your company:

How do you think the participants benefited from this placement with your company?

The stagiaires, although solid on the theoretical side, had little or no industrial experience. They found themselves confronted with the social and technical realities of industrial production. They also had the opportunity to study in depth our processes, methods of administration and management, and French social life.

In what way did your company/staff benefit from this experience?

Our staff, understanding the importance of the mission, appreciated the stagiaires' friendliness as well as their motivation and competence. The solutions they presented to their tasks were expert and original, and could be applied the next time there is a major plant shut-down.

How could other companies be persuaded to participate with us, as you have done, in offering such a training opportunity to candidates from developing countries?

Using us as an example and reference, other firms could be convinced of the benefits of these missions, at both a social and a technical level, because of the fresh ideas contributed.

How much did you know about the OPCW and the CWC before these participants in the Associate Programme came to your company? How was your knowledge changed as a result?

I must confess that, prior to the preliminary discussions about the stage, I knew very little about the OPCW; I have, therefore, acquired important information in many fields since then.

As for the Convention, I had the opportunity to study it in detail and acquire a better understanding of its contents.

As regards the OPCW, besides the knowledge about it which I was able to acquire, I had the honour of visiting its offices in The Hague and to understand the challenges which it has had to face.

Will your company continue to support this kind of programme in the future? If so, in what way?

Yes, of course. We would be happy to receive more stagiaires.

Do you feel that the Associate Programme can make a contribution towards the technological and economic development of the OPCW Member States?

The stagiaires get a general picture of activities within the chemical industry, and themselves assist with local problems; all this makes a direct contribution to the economic and technical development of the States Parties.

In the past, the chemical industry/trade association have been very active with regard to the CWC and its implementation. How important is the CWC to your company?

Our participation in the OPCW training programme is proof of the importance which our society attaches to the Convention. Its principles are in line with the well-known basic principles of our society relating directly to safety and the environment.

Categories: Associate Programme