S YNOPSIS

INTRODUCTION For our english report, we chose Vallourec company, an important manufacturing group who is the second world producer of steel tubes without welding. Vallourec have many subsidiaries, one of them ; Valinox is situated in Montbard in Burgundy. That’s why we chose this company, for represent a local manufacturing group and for represent the industry in general in Burgundy. On one hand we will see a general presentation of the firm with his history, his commercial strategy and his actions on the environment. On the other hand, we will see one of subsidiaries : Valinox.

GENERAL PRESENTATION The history of Vallourec Group Current 1890 years, three companies, which manufactured tubes in steel, appeared in the North of France: in Valenciennes, Louvroil and in Recquignies. In 1930, these companies have merged to create in 1957 the Vallourec Group. Vallourec became the only manufacturer of steel tubes without welding and large diameter welded tubes and the most important producer of small diameter welded tubes and cold drawn tubes. During this period, the Group has developed itself in various outlets, particularly premium seals for the oil industry, products for the car industry and public works segments. In the late 1980s, Vallourec refocused its activities on the seamless steel tube sector and moving away from the welded tube and public works sectors. From this period, the Group decided to organize itself in a form of holding, creating subsidiaries specialized by activity. In October 1997, Vallourec climbed to the position of world leader in the seamless steel tube market, joined its seamless tube plants with those of Mannesmannröhren-Werke. The company became Vallourec & Mannesmann tubes. This position is strengthening with the acquisition of MSA in Brazil by Vallourec & Mannesmann tubes, in 2000; and in 2002, the acquisition of the activities of North Star, a company which also