The situation
A US corporation was in the process of transferring part of its French operation to Morocco. Employees reacted strongly and, in some cases, violently to the announcement, even winning the support of a high-profile politician. The corporation needed to minimize further damage to its assets, people and reputation.
Our approach
Control Risks conducted daily monitoring of French media and websites to allow our client to respond quickly. We also gathered intelligence to warn the company of demonstrations and petitioning of the local mayor and authorities. We deployed a local risk management expert to assist the US management team in dealing with French employees, advisors, and authorities. As there was a threat of violence, we provided executive protection services to management. We also reorganized local security staff, helped safely transfer key machinery to the new site, managed access control, and activated security risk management measures to prevent further incidents of theft and vandalism.
The outcome
Despite several unexpected confrontations with local staff and trade unions, Control Risks assisted the client in protecting staff from the actions of a small number of violent individuals, resuming production at the new site with only minor delays. The client subsequently asked us to assist with the closure of another facility. This time Control Risks was brought in at the beginning of the process, before the closure had been announced. Preparedness is critical as business resumption brings new challenges and potential for conflict.