michel:
Do our friend “Saviem” recognize any people ?
Evening all, michel, where on earth do you unearth these photographs from■■?
This picture, long story, and by necessity some history,… hope I do not prove dull!
The photograph shown by michel was taken Saturday 25. 08 78, at the Onatra Depot, Saint Auban sur Durance, photographed by J P Therene Digne, on the occasion of the Grand Onatra/Saviem “open door event”, held jointly at Onatras Saint Auban Branch, and the grand Chateaux Arnoux, at Saint Auban.
Saint Auban sur Durance was opened by Jean Arconstanzo in 1950, to serve a Bauxite Contract with lUsine dAluminium de Saint Aubain, and later L`Usine Pechiney . Onatra used 8 cylinder Willeme rigids for this contract, later replaced by Berliet TLM 10 2s, equipped with the twin lever, (“tricateuse”), 10 speed gearboxes. Incidentally, the original Onatra “ruby red” livery was used because of the staining of Bauxite, which left a ruby red residue on the vehicles. These Berliets were normally running with Marseille trailer builder Coder, tipping trailer chasssis, fitted with Marrel bodies.
1972, Jean Arconstanzo negotiates with Dutch Group Pakhoed 50% share of Onatra.
1973, 10 Berliet TR280s purchased for “evaluation”.
03.73. 400 Saviem tractors purchased SM 260/SM300 V8s.
02 75. 100% Share holding acquired by Packhoed, via the new holding company Packtrans.
Two new Director Generals, M Lambert, and M F Weber.
New Dutch subsidiary Onatra Pays Bas, under M Van Emerick at Rotterdam.
1975, Onatra is losing FF 200,000,000. per month!
03.76 Jean Arcostanzo retires.
New PDG appointed, Freddy Van Gaever, plus two new Directors Genereaux Jean Guieu, (who had a liking for white suits)!, and JP Josien.
1976 100 DAF 2800DKTD purchased, (the Dutch influence).
So that is the history, (in precis), and here we are in 1978.
Saint Auban was operating around 50 Saviem 340 units, on both Bulk Tank, and Tilt work. Onatra had a very conservative approach to vehicle specification, “keep it simple”. Big power, delivered reliably, and change the units every two years! In this they were the total opposite to normal French transport thinking…Oh and acquire the lorries at the “best price” only!!
The SM 340 V8 was a superb “fleet” lorry, big power, (for its time), and ultra reliable. Onatras drivers loved them, either on domestic work, or “local” European, Spain, (400 loads per month), Italy, the Low Countries, or the Middle East.
Following the Saviem/Berliet merger in `75, we still persued individual marketing paths, and remained seperate Networks. However by 78, the decisions had been made that the standard “heavy” would come from Lyon, and the medium/lightweights from Blainville. But Saviem still had a contract with MAN to take a volume of 6, and 8 cylinder engines. The later 6 would go into the new PS30, but the V8s would run out on the SM340s.
Onatra`s market policy of new vehicles every two years was an ideal opportunity for “us”, to deplete the production of SM 340s, and for Onatra to acquire some low cost reliable tractors, a marriage made in heaven!!!.
Following on the order for 200 Saviems , we negotiated a further 100, mainly SM340s. The 300th vehicle, Onatra fleet number SAT 530, (Saint Auban, Tractor, number 530), Registered 4824GY13 was to be handed over on Saturday 25 03 78, to Freddy Van Gaever in person at Saint Auban.
But what a handover…Onatra were having bad press, yet were arguably France`s largest haulier employing nearly 1000 people, and operating over 1000 trailers, Tankers, Tilts, Tippers, and nearly 700 Tractors, 204 Magirus Deutz, 120 DAF, and 315 Saviem, plus other “bits”.
Onatra responded well to the idea of an “open door day” at Saint Auban, plus Fete, and Gymkhana, (at the "swish " venue of Chateaux Arnoux) to include employees, their families, locals, and local dignateries, Onatra, and Saviem Management and employees, (from the Saviem side, both Suresnes, and SaviFrance Marseille), and what I personally considered a very courageous decision by Freddy, representatives from both National and Local media and Press, who could throw questions at Freddy, and his Co Directors regarding the performance of Onatra the company.
The “event” would occupy over 18 hours on the 25.03.78. and was incredibly successfull. The reaction of the General Public, (who perhaps knew little of" our" industry), the drivers, who had the opportunity of showing off “their” workplace to their wives and children, and local and national media, who are always hungry for a new story.
Couple that with a local “craft”, and art exhibition, "our ", (my)■■? Gymkhana idea, a Boules competition, ride and drive, childrens competitions, a film show, (Le Carroserie des Sables, a film produced by Good Year, about Onatra`s Middle East work), Le Jazz,
and TVF3, attending to report on the event for National TV.topped, of course, by a “Buffet Campagnard”, and finished in grand style by a Grand Ball, with Dancing till midnight!!
Who did we have there, apart from Onatra, and Saviem People, and the local Mayor, Chamber of Commerce, et al? Well, from the press, M Etienne, Nice Matin, Mlle Chabaud, Head of Publicity La Marsellaise, and the “delightfull” Mlle Thelene, (probably now an old wrinkled Grannie)!!! All of whom threw real hard questions at Freddy, who with adroit skill fielded the lot succesfully…and gained great deal of credible, positive press coverage!!
Then of course there were the “all day” photographs. Big Cheesess, Little Cheeses. michel your picture!
Well of course from left to right you have, M Turpin, Director of SaviFrance Marseille, J P Josien Di Grazia, Onatra Vitrolles, Freddt Van Gaever, President Director General, Onatra Vitrolles, Jean Gieu, Onatra Vitrolles,M Percheron, Commercial Attache Saviem, then a mixed bag of “also rans”, in no particular order, containing… M Malpeyre Director Onatra Saint Auban, JM Pisani Regional Director Saviem, M Millaf, Technical Saviem, My Boss, M Frachon, Publicity Saviem, and a refugee lorry driver from Shropshire, (who was hoping that the Buffet would be of good standard)!!!
michel, your collection is so comprehensive that you may have a picture of the handover of the PS30 demonstrator to Freddy on the same day…boy, we did get told off about that…TRs were the way forward for RVI, not Saviems!
10.1978, Onatra was acquired by the Belgian Group, Ibel-Almado , the only noticeable change to the vehicles being the replacement of the “hat” symbol by a large “T” on all the trailers.
1980, Freddy Van Gaevers left the Group.
michel, thank you for the picture, that really set the " little grey cells" working…such happy memories, people, places, and the most incredible Jazz Swing Orchestra, I have ever enjoyed.
Cheerio for now.
