Manufacturing Technology

To carry on our series of ‘Carlo Salvi Stories’ – a series of articles celebrating business collaborations, successes and shared goals – we focus on the relationship between Carlo Salvi and SFS France, part of the worldwide leading supplier SFS Group.

Founded in 1976, SFS Group SAS is a leading company in the production of self-tapping screws. With a rich history of over four decades, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of excellence.

One of the most relevant moments in SFS France’s history came in 1988 when it became one of the country’s first factories to obtain ISO 9001 certification. This milestone demonstrated the company’s commitment to quality and laid the foundation for future success. In 2009, SFS France welcomed a new director, Alain Mangeard, who led the company on a path of growth and innovation. By 2015, SFS France had become the primary production site for the Construction Division of the SFS Group, confirming its position as a key player in the industry. 2017 proved to be another significant period for SFS France as it underwent a transformation, changing its name from SFS intec to SFS and introducing several important innovations such as irius^®, TUF-S rivets and adjustable screws for window installations,
showing the company’s dedication to cutting-edge solutions. 

With a dedicated team of 300 employees, SFS Group continues to evolve and innovate, looking confidently towards the future – aiming for further growth, success, and revolutionary advancements in the field of construction and fastening solutions. By focusing on delivering high-quality products, the company has expanded its presence to numerous countries, primarily focusing on EU countries and serving the United States. 

Another significant milestone was the partnership with Carlo Salvi, which occurred in 2006 when SFS France received its first machine from the Italian company. This partnership marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the two companies. SFS France relies on several machines provided by Carlo Salvi, including CS002, CS003 and CS246EWS. Known for their precision and efficiency, these machines play a crucial role in the production process, enabling SFS France to maintain high-quality standards in the production of self-tapping screws. These screws play a critical role in various construction applications, ensuring that the structures in which they are used maintain their integrity and withstand various environmental factors. 

“The Carlo Salvi machines and the relationship we have with the company are part of a path towards Industry 4.0 innovation. We started 2023 with a digitalisation project – where we collect, analyse and utilise data from each machine to improve our Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and our quality. This represents a fundamental step for our future and the Carlo Salvi machines are an integral part of this journey. They play a significant role in SFS France,” commented Laurent Cambianica, industrial manager at SFS Group SAS.

SFS France typically manages series and productions between 100,000 to 2 million parts. On Carlo Salvi machines, approximately 17 million parts are produced per month, accounting for 15% of the total production quantity. SFS France recognises the importance of advanced machinery to meet the growing needs of the construction industry. Therefore, the company has made significant investments. Through the purchase of Carlo Salvi machines, the production capacity has increased, enabling SFS France to meet increasing customer demands and ensuring that the production process remains efficient and up to date. In addition to the purchasing process, the partnership between SFS France and Carlo Salvi is built on trust and the assurance of relying on a company ready to respond to any needs over time. The French company has had access to technical support from the Italian-based company throughout the entire process, including machine installation and personnel training, to ensure proper operation. This aspect demonstrates a strong and continuous relationship between the companies, focused on process optimisation and ‘post sales’ excellence performance.

The introduction of Carlo Salvi machines has brought several benefits to SFS France. The new machines have improved production efficiency by reducing cycle times and increasing overall production capacity. Furthermore, the machines have ensured greater precision and quality in the produced parts, solidifying SFS France’s reputation as a reliable provider of fastening solutions. SFS France continues to invest in its production capabilities and collaborate with Carlo Salvi to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain a leadership position in the fastening solutions industry. 

“SFS France is a leader in reliability, innovation, and attention to detail, allowing us to create a partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to shaping the future of the French company and the daily operations of Carlo Salvi. We are fully aware of the quality of our machines and have every confidence in our ability to continue collaborating in the future, supporting SFS France in achieving significant goals through an innovative journey that ensures impeccable quality standards,” stated Carlo Salvi.