You're watching...
Titan International CEO Maurice Taylor on the backlash from his comments on French workers’ lack of productivity.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
The French are slamming criticism of their three hour workday faster than you can say -- -- boo -- After the CEO of an American tire companies letter was leaked in which he described today at a French plant like -- That they get one hour for breaks and lunch talk for three and worked for three.
I told this to the French union workers to their faces they told me it's the French way.
To which the French unions and government responded calling the comments insulting.
Scathing and saying the CEO this belonged to a psychiatric ward here with his side of the story -- Taylor should CEO a Titan International.
Mr.
Taylor thanks so much for being with us today we we really appreciate your time I know it's been a whirlwind.
I would you respond to some of this criticism not Colin read a comment from the French industry -- minister.
He was pretty hard on you he said your comments which are as extreme as they are insulting -- the total ignorance of our country.
Can I remind you that tightened the company you head is twenty times smaller than Michelin the French technology leader with a global reach and 35 times more profitable.
That shows the extent that titan could have learned and gained enormously from a French base sir how do you respond.
Well.
Embarrassed or should do his homework because Michelin has been closing factories are investing a billion dollars in the EU us.
And he you know it can't be -- in the past these live -- in the past.
Number two in Italy the -- and the whole thing.
Exactly what you said about the what the French workers.
-- that is what they said to me.
When we did interview.
And -- I did it would tend unions.
That's what cement factory -- -- factories there Goodyear also bulk.
The one factories are not close they've tried for four years.
When they announced they were gonna close the passenger -- -- the plan also makes agricultural -- It's highest paid.
Work force probably am.
France reference for industrial workforce.
Well sir let me correct you here for a second -- because I'm curious you know you pretty harsh in your criticism.
He -- don't work very much what's the atmosphere like inside that plant.
I mean is Eric urgency of the since of people are trying to get their work done on -- -- work -- -- work ethic we're here to get it done.
-- -- -- -- And do you rate is sixteen -- person -- And what that what's behind it then.
Answer to your question you walk can.
They get an hour of further along children breaks and I think that's paid seven hours since that day.
And then they work about.
Three hours and then the other three -- like a beauty shop they're they're socializing and the reason can't.
They would like QC union thinks you should hire more people.
I mean that's that state unions mentality.
And it's also part of very -- French government.
Now we we're told mr.
Taylor.
That the union initially asked you to guarantee them lifetime jobs.
They -- and when I say I said don't guarantee.
I says I don't even know but I'm -- put tens of millions of dollars and must plant.
I says.
Number one.
I expect it works sixty -- that bomb paying -- for seven.
And that we do that.
Then you don't have to worry about -- -- important level because we're gonna keep gone but I guarantee you minimum of two.
And here in the whole thing is it -- -- public.
We have a factory it.
But -- the French workers are great.
It's over on the West Coast of former course the minister didn't do his homework.
And probably the latter why did he release you -- letter.
Why because here it's real simple.
Number one they were getting beat up with a steel -- that was gonna post first are gonna nationalize this thing you have -- go lay off thousand.
Everything they said they would do as went south.
-- you've got to remember analysis socialist.
So then what happens this.
Good cheer announced they're closing that plant.
Not trying ourselves to -- put your own -- I don't know I -- not -- so.
They -- close it so very French minister Paul.
I will call up this statement have them come and I spent four years over -- -- to -- these polls itself.
He -- -- and I was in Australia we brought a couple companies there.
And I get back he said it is personal letter which is no different when the other.
Minister of -- -- through it.
And you wrote them back.
And and a whole thing just totally blew up well -- daughter going that deep.
Dot -- that he would -- there's Donald debt he could take the American -- and hit my comments about the work which was true.
And twisted.
And you -- get some -- up.
Well the couple did anything -- know I got a history that I don't walk away from any battle.
So he walked into it and now.
You can run around but the joke is why don't somebody at eight that -- don't somebody asking -- why aren't -- making a deal would Goodyear.
-- yeah there Mark Taylor they wanna be very -- to.
