How did you learn about VÊPRES?

Robert Cabes: We had previously consulted VÊPRES for an earlier project, but they were not selected by our purchasing department. I had a very positive recollection of their proposal and strongly advocated for them to be considered for our new cleanroom project, given the critical quality requirements and tight deadlines we had established.

Do your production processes require highly specific environments?

RC: Precisely. AXON Câble designs and manufactures high-technology cables for numerous markets: aeronautics, aerospace, automotive, telecom, medical, etc. For instance, we produce components for Ariane 5 and the International Space Station (ISS). Production conditions are extremely stringent! This necessitates cleanroom units with a very high level of atmospheric control, including particulate contamination, temperature, humidity, and particle counting.

The specifications must have been daunting!

RC: That depends on the perspective! The VÊPRES teams are truly specialists. Their design office perfectly met our specifications and even exceeded them in terms of technical approach and equipment. Based in Grenoble, they possess considerable experience in microelectronics and nanotechnologies!

Were the works executed efficiently, and were the deadlines met?

RC: Everything was perfect! The VÊPRES teams work with the precision of master craftsmen. Monitoring is continuous; everything is meticulously prepared, timed, and adjusted. They constructed the 330 m² cleanroom and the adjacent 330 m² offices. The work was completed in 3 months, as scheduled. Crucially, the cleanroom and its equipment were immediately operational, allowing us to commence production on schedule!

And after one year, have any issues arisen?

RC : None! This cleanroom operates flawlessly, «like a Rolls-Royce»! Everything functions perfectly. We undergo inspections to comply with specific standards, and even the certification body is impressed by the quality of our equipment.

Do you seem entirely convinced?

RC: Like attracts like! The culture of 'work well done' is deeply ingrained at AXON Câble, which remains a family business despite its international scale (1,800 employees). At VÊPRES, we found the same ethos, with highly motivated and exceptionally competent teams!