Amada Charleville: an alliance of Japanese and French know-how

For 50 years now, the Japanese group who specialises in machines for sheet metal working has regularly invested in its French Ardennes site which caters to its European customers.

Amada is one of the world's leading manufacturers of laser cutting, punching and bending machines for sheet metals. The group has around 90 companies, sales subsidiaries and production sites, and employs over 8,000 people worldwide. More than just a manufacturer of machine tools, Amada offers innovative and personalised solutions to suit the needs of its customers.

In recent years, 25 million euros have been invested in the Ardennes plant to modernise its tools and increase its production capacity (an increase of 35% in 4 years). Thanks to its strategic location on the outskirts of major European capitals, the 28,000 m² site in Charleville-Mézières also serves as the group's logistics base (nearly 2.5 months-worth of products can be stored on site). Thanks to flow optimisation, Amada has centralised its logistics (previously distributed over 5 sites in Europe) in French Ardennes, reducing its carbon footprint. Amada machine tools are thus transported across France (20%) but also across Europe and even in Africa. Managed by David Schirmer, the French Ardennes plant has doubled its product range over the past 5 years, especially through selling machines of greater capacity to adapt to the European market. Seeing an increase in activity, it currently uses around thirty temporary workers to support the 115 employees on the site.

In an Asian-inspired landscaped setting, Amada Charleville combines technology and industrial skills with humane and environmental values. Remaining an industrial point of reference for the Ardennes, the site is now the Japanese group's showcase in Europe.

 

www.amada.eu/fr-en

By Ardennes Développement, the Ardennes economic development agency - ardennes-developpement.com

©Ardennes Développement / Graphik impact - 2020