TotalEnergies rewards innovation and diversification at the Étoiles de l’économie

This year’s edition of the Étoiles de l’économie (Stars of the economy) held particular importance for TotalEnergies, celebrating an industrial anniversary and giving pride of place to local business owners. The Company was partner of the category “Innovation & Diversification” and presented its award to Ogeu, a family business long-established in the Pyrenees. A fine example of a region that knows how to draw on its history to innovate and prepare for the future.
 

On November 5, those who drive the economy of the Béarn and Soule region once again gathered at the Palais Beaumont. Business owners, industrialists, and institutional partners had all been invited to the 2026 edition of the Étoiles de l’économie, which puts the spotlight on the region’s initiatives every two years. The evening event included the presentation of eight awards and a speech by Alexandre Saubot, General Director of Haulotte Group and President of France Industrie. What with the tributes to the award winners and the discussions about the future of the industry, the event was also an opportunity for people to meet and get to know one another. In his speech, Alexandre Saubot recognized the daring, innovation and resilience of local businesses, topics that made up the central theme of the evening.

For the first time, TotalEnergies was sponsoring “Innovation & Diversification,” a category that particularly resonates with the teams at the CSTJF and the PERL as it reflects what motivates them on a daily basis. 
 

Innovation and diversification given pride of place in Béarn

Three businesses from Béarn were therefore nominated in the “Innovation & Diversification” category: SUPB, that applies its know-how in precision engineering to new mobility solutions; Deep Concept, a Pau-based SMB specialized in power electronics and energy conversion; and the Ogeu Group. Three different backgrounds, that, each in its own way, illustrates the capacity of the local economic fabric to diversify and grow its know-how and explore new markets. 
Ogeu received the Star award – the Étoile – from Jérôme Poncet, Pau Site Manager and VP Technical Competencies Management for the OneTech branch. The family business was founded in Béarn in 1820, and, among other things, was rewarded for renewing the concept of returnable glass bottles. Kicked off in 2025, the project revives an old practice by adapting it to the current challenges of reuse and short circuits, while generating activity on the historical site of Ogeu-les-Bains.
 

“I'm particularly proud to present this Étoile to Ogeu. The business is deeply rooted in the Béarn region and is proof that it is possible to draw on a long industrial history to continue to reinvent oneself. Renewing the concept of returnable bottles by creating a local reuse loop perfectly illustrates the essence of this category: tangible innovation, activity diversification, and value creation for the region,” declared Jérôme Poncet to Bernard Voisin, Deputy Managing Director of the group that received the award.

In addition to the awards, the 2026 edition was also an invitation to take a look at the region’s industrial future in light of the 75 years gone by since the discovery of gas in Lacq. Jean-Paul Riquet, Regional Director Nouvelle-Aquitaine for TotalEnergies, was present alongside Alexandre Saubot and Lindsey Deary, President of the Lacq-Orthez community of communes, to discuss the place of industry in France. The experience of the Lacq basin, to which TotalEnergies and the local players directly contributed, added a practical dimension to the debate. This anniversary was an opportunity to go back over an industrial and human adventure that transformed the Béarn region.

“Lacq’s history is proof that a region can turn its know-how into a starting point to reinvent itself. Celebrating 75 years since the discovery of gas in Lacq means paying tribute to a collective adventure, a capacity to anticipate and to look ahead of us. The future of the industry has to be built with local businesses, research, and players, with innovation as the driving force,” declared Jean-Paul Riquet.

Jean-Paul Riquet - Alexandre Saubot - Lindsey Deary

From Ogeu’s returnable bottles to 75 years of gas in Lacq, not forgetting the promotion of many other local talents and initiatives, the Béarn region proved that night that it had no lack of ideas! The cocktail dinner was the next high point of the evening, regaling the guests with some of the region’s prime products – including trout, wines, foie-gras, cheese from local producers – in a friendly atmosphere.

By sponsoring the category “Innovation & Diversification” for the very first time, TotalEnergies enjoyed the opportunity to pay tribute to those who dare to invent the future, just like its teams at the CSTJF and the PERL. The Étoiles de l’économie honored business owners who make the Béarn region shine, and the Company is proud to have been by their side.