Sud Découpe Industrie: Enhancing Operations with 3 Eagle Lasers
Sud Découpe Industrie is a subcontracting service provider based in Onet-le-Château, France, specializing in laser cutting, bending, and welding. Since its inception in 2007, the company has focused on delivering solutions strictly tailored to client specifications, working with materials such as steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel.
Denis Roques, CEO of Sud Découpe Industrie, explains: “I founded the company in 2007. We are purely subcontractors—we don’t have our own products; we work solely based on our clients’ needs. We serve industries such as construction, electronics, lighting, and agricultural equipment.”
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Transition to Fiber Laser Technology and Automation
In its early years, the company relied on CO₂ lasers, which required large amounts of nitrogen and electricity. However, as technology evolved, CO₂ lasers became less efficient, prompting the need for an upgrade.
To meet growing market demands and improve efficiency, Sud Découpe Industrie upgraded its equipment in 2016 with a 6kW iNspire 2040 Eagle Fiber Laser. This initial investment marked the beginning of a steady technological transformation. By 2019, the company had added a second 6kW machine with automation, enabling the team to handle an increasing volume of orders while maintaining a consistent work schedule.
In January 2023, they made a significant leap in power, adding a 20kW Eagle iNspire 1530, which expanded their capabilities in cutting thicker materials and tackling more complex projects.
Kevin Roques, Sales and Technical Development Manager, reflects on this evolution: “Thanks to the 20kW machine, we’ve already achieved a level of quality on thicker materials that wasn’t possible before due to the 6kW’s limitations. This has, of course, improved our productivity. What used to take about three hours to cut a sheet now takes only one, depending on the technology we use. We’ve already reduced both our production costs and production time.” The technological upgrades have not only enhanced cutting performance but also streamlined maintenance.
“I oversee all in-house maintenance and manage our relationship with the Eagle Service Team, which I would describe as very efficient and highly responsive. We can send maintenance requests directly from the CNC controls.”
With direct communication channels and an efficient support system, any issues are quickly addressed, ensuring minimal downtime.
Higher Efficiency, Greater Profitability
The transition to fiber laser technology and automation has led to significant operational improvements. In the first year after the upgrade, production increased by 25% while electricity consumption decreased by 15%.
Denis Roques summarizes the impact: “In 2016, our turnover was 1 million euros. Now, in 2024, we have reached 5 million euros with 20 employees.”
Automation has also enabled Sud Découpe Industrie to handle express orders and expand into new market segmentsthat were previously out of reach.
Kevin Roques adds: “Historically, we handled a lot of small series and express customer service requests. Automation has allowed us to tap into new markets we wouldn’t have accessed otherwise. Now, we can produce for 16 hours a day with a single team.”
By embracing fiber laser technology and automation, Sud Découpe Industrie has enhanced productivity, broadened its service offerings, and optimized workflow—crucial steps in maintaining a competitive edge in today’s industrial landscape.
“I would recommend Eagle machines to everyone. I think they are among the best in terms of versatility. The speed and quality of execution are top-notch.” concludes Roques.