Breheret<\/a><\/strong>, founded in 1839 in Saint-Pierre-Montlimart, in the Loire region, is now in its seventh generation. With 70 employees, an 8,000 m\u00b2 production facility and an industrial turnover of \u20ac16 million, it is one of France\u2019s leading manufacturers of interior wooden joinery \u2013 facades for service shafts, inspection hatches, glazed frames, and glazed door units \u2013 all products with fire-resistance certifications (EI 15, EI 30, EI 60) and acoustic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A solid industrial profile, yet with an artisanal DNA that remains the company\u2019s true driving force. As Olivier Breheret, owner and representative of the sixth generation, explains: \u2018Before we are industrialists, we are site workers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is this culture – namely the ability to understand customers\u2019 real-world challenges, to react quickly, and never to respond with a cold \u2018five-week wait, full stop\u2019 – that has enabled Breheret to secure contracts with France\u2019s largest construction groups, from Bouygues Construction to Eiffage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI knew there was a market to be seized, and we had to move quickly, before others did<\/strong>,\u201d <\/strong>explains Rodolphe Gautier, the company\u2019s production manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step was the purchase of a more compact machine to \u201cget a foothold\u201d. The results confirmed the intuition: turnover from this production line rose from \u20ac600,000 to \u20ac3.7 million. But as volumes grew, that first machine quickly showed its limitations. A step up was needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name Saomad came to Breheret via the most credible channel there is: word of mouth among professionals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, a trusted industrial consultant. Then, direct contact with another Saomad customer in the region who had already taken the same path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the realisation that several leading manufacturers in the Loire had invested in Saomad technology. \u201cThese aren\u2019t just any companies. That lends credibility<\/strong>,\u201d <\/strong>emphasises Olivier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Delivery times. <\/strong>At a time when other manufacturers were quoting waiting times of 18\u201324 months, Saomad was able to offer a timeline compatible with the company\u2019s development plan. A factor described as \u201ccrucial\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Machine build quality. <\/strong>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. \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about the same machine, the same productivity. You can see it\u2019s high-quality, robust, and reassuring,\u201d says Rodolphe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The partner ecosystem. <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. The affinity between family-run businesses. <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The constant point of contact throughout the entire project was Claudio Filippi<\/strong>, Saomad\u2019s sales director, who coordinated every stage \u2013 from the initial consultation to the final testing \u2013 acting as a true conductor between the client, the software house and the toolmaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can tell it\u2019s not a corporate group. There\u2019s a single point of contact who manages everything, and that\u2019s crucial<\/strong>,\u201d <\/strong>explains Rodolphe. A model that stands in contrast to that of large groups, where obtaining information or making specific requests becomes progressively more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The configuration chosen by Breheret is not simply a machining centre<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Everest smart warehouse <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Picking unloading system<\/strong>, 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\u2019s philosophy of always looking ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe machine is designed never to stop<\/strong>,\u201d <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stated objectives are clear and ambitious:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saomad\u2019s presence in France is not just a promise: it is embodied by Romain Bocca <\/strong>and the team at ProWood Solutions, Saomad\u2019s distributor in France, who guarantee support, responsiveness and a point of contact in the customer\u2019s language and time zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s how business is done<\/strong>,\u201d <\/strong>concludes Olivier. \u201cWe\u2019re loyal. When we\u2019re satisfied, we don\u2019t look elsewhere.\u201d<\/strong> A statement that, for machine manufacturers, is worth more than any technical specification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In mid-April 2026, the Woodpecker Performance 3<\/strong><\/em>, featuring the Everest warehouse and picking system, was installed and commissioned at the Saint-Pierre-Montlimart plant. Follow us on LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a> to stay updated on future production results.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom \u20ac600,000 to \u20ac3.7 million: the growth that necessitated the technological leap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Saomad: the factors that made the difference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woodpecker](\"https:\/\/www.saomad.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Woodpecker-Performance-3-by-Saomad-for-French-client-Breheret-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWoodpecker Performance 3 with Everest and Picking: production autonomy as the goal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woodpecker](\"https:\/\/www.saomad.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Woodpecker-Performance-3-by-Saomad-for-French-client-Breheret-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat will change for Breheret<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The value of the service: before, during and after<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woodpecker](\"https:\/\/www.saomad.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Woodpecker-Performance-3-by-Saomad-for-French-client-Breheret-3.jpg\")
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