When a family-run business with nearly two centuries of history decides to invest in a CNC machining centre, the choice is never purely technical. It is a statement of intent regarding its future.
Breheret, founded in 1839 in Saint-Pierre-Montlimart, in the Loire region, is now in its seventh generation. With 70 employees, an 8,000 m² production facility and an industrial turnover of €16 million, it is one of France’s leading manufacturers of interior wooden joinery – facades for service shafts, inspection hatches, glazed frames, and glazed door units – all products with fire-resistance certifications (EI 15, EI 30, EI 60) and acoustic performance.
A solid industrial profile, yet with an artisanal DNA that remains the company’s true driving force. As Olivier Breheret, owner and representative of the sixth generation, explains: ‘Before we are industrialists, we are site workers.
It is this culture – namely the ability to understand customers’ real-world challenges, to react quickly, and never to respond with a cold ‘five-week wait, full stop’ – that has enabled Breheret to secure contracts with France’s largest construction groups, from Bouygues Construction to Eiffage.
From €600,000 to €3.7 million: the growth that necessitated the technological leap
The path that led Breheret to Saomad stemmed from a clear strategic choice. The production of frames and chassis, historically outsourced to subcontractors, had obvious limitations: poor responsiveness, squeezed margins, and an inability to tap into a growing market.
“I knew there was a market to be seized, and we had to move quickly, before others did,” explains Rodolphe Gautier, the company’s production manager.
The first step was the purchase of a more compact machine to “get a foothold”. The results confirmed the intuition: turnover from this production line rose from €600,000 to €3.7 million. But as volumes grew, that first machine quickly showed its limitations. A step up was needed.
Why Saomad: the factors that made the difference
The name Saomad came to Breheret via the most credible channel there is: word of mouth among professionals.
First, a trusted industrial consultant. Then, direct contact with another Saomad customer in the region who had already taken the same path.
Finally, the realisation that several leading manufacturers in the Loire had invested in Saomad technology. “These aren’t just any companies. That lends credibility,” emphasises Olivier.
During the selection phase, Breheret also evaluated other solutions on the market, but the choice fell on Saomad due to a combination of factors that goes far beyond the technical specifications:
1. Delivery times. At a time when other manufacturers were quoting waiting times of 18–24 months, Saomad was able to offer a timeline compatible with the company’s development plan. A factor described as “crucial”.
2. Machine build quality. The visit to Saomad had a decisive impact. The grippers, the cable chains, the tool holders, the magazine structure: every detail conveyed a level of quality far superior to anything Breheret had seen before. “We’re not talking about the same machine, the same productivity. You can see it’s high-quality, robust, and reassuring,” says Rodolphe.
3. The partner ecosystem. Knowing that Saomad was already working with DDX Software Solution and Oertli for tooling was a further source of confidence. A tried-and-tested trio, with joint projects and an integrated working method.
4. The affinity between family-run businesses. Breheret recognised in Saomad a reflection of its own identity: a family-run SME where dialogue is direct, decisions are swift, and relationships are personal.
The constant point of contact throughout the entire project was Claudio Filippi, Saomad’s sales director, who coordinated every stage – from the initial consultation to the final testing – acting as a true conductor between the client, the software house and the toolmaker.
“You can tell it’s not a corporate group. There’s a single point of contact who manages everything, and that’s crucial,” explains Rodolphe. A model that stands in contrast to that of large groups, where obtaining information or making specific requests becomes progressively more complex.
Woodpecker Performance 3 with Everest and Picking: production autonomy as the goal
The configuration chosen by Breheret is not simply a machining centre. It is an integrated production system, designed to operate autonomously and minimise human intervention: a strategic aspect in a context of growing difficulty in finding qualified staff.
The Everest smart warehouse allows raw parts to be stored in an orderly manner and feeds the machine for continuous shifts, eliminating the clutter and trolleys that typically crowd the production floor.
The Picking unloading system, a patented Saomad solution, completes the cycle by ensuring the automated handling of finished parts. Breheret will be the first company in France to install this technology on its Performance 3: a first that Olivier proudly claims and which reflects the company’s philosophy of always looking ahead.
“The machine is designed never to stop,” summarises Olivier. The Genius positioner prepares the next parts whilst machining is still in progress. The CNC grippers reach impressive speeds. Everything is designed to optimise every second of the production cycle.
What will change for Breheret
The stated objectives are clear and ambitious:
- An increase in production capacity, estimated at +260% compared to the current situation.
- Reduced lead times, to meet the demand for responsiveness imposed by the French construction market.
- Diversification of the product range, with new profiles and solutions made possible by the flexibility of the Woodpecker Performance 3.
- A tidier, smoother and more efficient workshop, thanks to the Everest plus Picking integration, which eliminates the need for manual handling of bulky items.
The value of the service: before, during and after
A recurring theme throughout the conversation with Breheret is the importance placed on human relationships and service. This is no coincidence: for a company that has built its reputation on being close to its customers, choosing a technology provider also means choosing a partner with whom they share a common language.
Saomad’s presence in France is not just a promise: it is embodied by Romain Bocca and the team at ProWood Solutions, Saomad’s distributor in France, who guarantee support, responsiveness and a point of contact in the customer’s language and time zone.
It is this tangible, rather than generic, proximity that has rounded off an already compelling technical package. The willingness to support every stage of the project, from transport to commissioning, and the certainty of being able to pick up the phone and find someone to answer did the rest.
“That’s how business is done,” concludes Olivier. “We’re loyal. When we’re satisfied, we don’t look elsewhere.” A statement that, for machine manufacturers, is worth more than any technical specification.
In mid-April 2026, the Woodpecker Performance 3, featuring the Everest warehouse and picking system, was installed and commissioned at the Saint-Pierre-Montlimart plant. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on future production results.
