Sulzer Pompes France has been present in the Yvelines region since 1918, and its ability to bounce back and grow has enabled it to invest €15 million in a brand-new plant in Buchelay, near Mantes la Jolie, which has been awarded the HQE (High Environmental Quality) label and is commensurate with its ambitions.
With sales of €46 million, Sulzer Pompes France is not stopping there, and plans to continue investing and recruiting regularly over the next few years (+6% in 2015). Over the years, the company has developed expertise in the manufacture of high-performance, made-to-measure pumps, and in the maintenance and optimization of existing equipment. This know-how is recognized in the oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation (nuclear power plants) and water management (wastewater treatment plants, drinking water production) sectors.
A new custom-built plant to meet the growing needs of nuclear power plants
Sulzer Pompes France has become one of EDF's three major suppliers of "rotating machines". " The French nuclear power market offers excellent prospects. On the one hand, EDF has begun a review of the auxiliary pumps that failed to operate at Fukushima and were therefore unable to cool the reactor. Secondly, to extend the lifespan of its nuclear power plants, EDF could invest €55 billion over a 10-year period, including the renewal of its rotating machinery (pumps). "says Ram Shorer, General Manager.
The new site focuses on employee comfort and respect for the environment. Multiple bay windows bring maximum light into the offices, and air conditioning is "natural" (double-flow ventilation system). Resources are managed with respect for the environment: solar panels, rainwater recovery, energy-efficient home automation. Certain noisy, dust-generating activities (grinding) have been insulated with a high-powered extraction system.
New equipment
Sulzer Pompes France carries out the entire industrial process, from design to prototyping, manufacturing and testing. Each of these stages benefits from the advantages of the new site. New tools and machines have been acquired to meet the increasingly complex pump manufacturing standards. Two new machine tools enable high-precision machining of large parts. The company plans to invest €1 million each year in new production resources, and this fleet will continue to grow in size and performance. Precision has also been improved in many areas: the geometry of the machines has been reviewed and the fleet renovated. The site benefits from optimized equipment, the result of substantial investment over the past 2/3 years. The excellent flatness of the floor has led to significant improvements in manufacturing precision.
The test loop has two 9-meter pits, and benefits from a high ceiling, enabling the use of new lifting equipment. The usable electrical power is 2 MW, and can even reach 10 MW if necessary. This enables pumps to be tested under extreme conditions.
The design office is not to be outdone, with ongoing investments in calculation software (Ansys) and ad-hoc training. In general, an ambitious training and skills transfer program has been set up to prepare the younger generation for the challenges of tomorrow. In addition to designing, sizing and drawing the pumps, the design office also provides technical support at every stage of the supply and manufacturing process, and is on hand during testing to incorporate feedback from previous trials into future designs.
Learn more: www.sulzer.com