In recent years, the timber construction sector has undergone an incredible development. Unlike ten years ago, cross-laminated timber buildings with ten floors or more can be built rather easily today – and in a very short amount of time. In order for modern timber construction to be able to demonstrate all of its strengths on the construction site, meticulous and extensive preparatory work in the factory is required. “That is indispensable for the continuous further development of the sector and it’s exactly what we work on every day,” Samuel Pritzy, production manager at Xlam Industrie, emphasizes. The company, which was established in 2020, is a subsidiary of the Chauvin sawmill. Both companies are headquartered in Mignovillard in the middle of the French department of Jura, an excellent growing region of coniferous trees. Xlam Industrie processes spruce and fir wood into cross-laminated timber for trade and industrial customers primarily in France, but also in Belgium, Switzerland and beyond.
Rapid increase in performance
According to Pritzy, joining is one of the company’s keys to success. “We are a small and young company and stand out from the competition with our extensive, high-precision joining services.” The French company works with a Technowood TW-Mill CNC portal joinery machine, which is equipped with Oertli tools. In the beginning, standard tools, such as classic HS milling cutters or first-generation Castor tools, were used. It did not take long, though, before Pritzy and his team became interested in more powerful alternatives. “It is important to listen attentively to the customer, to determine their needs and requirements, and to design the tools based on that information,” Oertli’s Jochen Lanske, who is responsible for the project, emphasizes. Furthermore, it is also crucial to find a balance between tests, prototypes, goodwill and the billing for new tools.
Lanske is all the more pleased to be able to support customers like Xlam Industrie. “Whenever I talk about new ideas which can boost production, I always find Pritzy willing to listen. In order not to disrupt day-to-day business, the company is prepared to do the extensive testing of prototypes on weekends and holidays as well. Together, we are advancing this development and pushing the limits of what is possible, little by little.” Pritzy adds: “Before we make any further investments, we are working intensively on exploiting the full potential of our machines and tools in order to increase both productivity and quality. There are numerous opportunities for us here and, together with Oertli, nothing but open doors.”
Special tools
Lanske gives a few examples of implemented projects, such as the switchover from collet chucks to thermal shrink shank tools, the use of tools from the latest Castor generation, such as the Castor Optimo Zero for sharp-edged, very small and deep cutouts, or the use of the Turbex Sprint line with diameters of 16 to 40 mm. In particular, Pritzy appreciates the Castor tool line with its different designs, such as the mill cutters in different lengths and diameters for drilling and birdsmouth joints. Thanks to this line, Xlam Industrie achieved an enormous boost in quality and a performance increase of over 30%.
The keys to success
According to Pritzy, tools play an important role in the company’s success. “We can only utilize our plant capacity and achieve high precision and performance with the right tools. We have already achieved a lot working with Oertli, and I am convinced that we won’t be lacking in ideas and joint projects in the future, too.”
Pritzy also takes the opportunity to highlight another key factor in Xlam Industrie’s success: “Without the tireless commitment of all of our employees, from those working in production to those responsible for planning and administration, our success would not be possible. I’d like to thank everyone warmly.”
