The attack resulted in the shutdown of part of production activities but did not affect product distribution, according to management.
The pharmaceutical and cosmetics group was the victim of a cyber attack and some production sites are at a standstill, the third French laboratory told AFP on Wednesday.
“Part of the production activities have been stopped”, affirmed a person in charge of the communication of the group, without giving the scale. The group, based in Castres (Tarn), has nearly 10,000 employees worldwide – more than 6,000 in France – spread over some fifty sites, including 15 main ones in France. The cyberattack took place on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, according to management, confirming information from France Bleu Occitanie. “The distribution of products is not however interrupted”, she clarified.
A day of recovery imposed on employees
An assertion contradicted by one of the employees working at the Muret distribution center, wishing to remain anonymous. “Following the computer incident, the activity is completely stopped. Also, a day of paid leave 2020 or recovery is imposed for the day of April 1 “, can we read on the text message sent by management to this employee, and consulted by AFP. The management indicated that the technical teams were “Hard at work to restore the situation as quickly as possible”.
Pierre Fabre, an unlisted group, achieved a turnover of 2.2 billion euros in 2020, of which 65% abroad. It has several business segments, dermo-cosmetics constituting the majority of its sales (around 60%). Pierre Fabre, pharmacist born in Castres (Tarn), founded this company in 1962 which has become a giant in the pharmacy and cosmetics sector. He died in July 2013. The group has developed internationally but remains very established in the Tarn, with industrial sites near Castres and Lavaur in particular.
