Special French companies focused on export

OAK FOR A KINGDOM

THE FRENCH LEAD THE WAY IN REFORESTATION

When you think of France and wooden floors, one sort of wood stands head and shoulders above the rest, namely oak. Why do we identify the French so closely with this sort of wood and take great pleasure in juggling with the expression French oak? Well, we’ve established not only that France is an ideal breeding ground, but also that in the past people gave this tree more than a helping hand.

Sun King and his navy

A brief history lesson will help us to get a good grasp of this matter. We go back mainly to the 17th century. Oak was used to make ships, but then another acute problem emerged. The navy had to be supplied constantly with wood. Since everyone expected the navy to grow, under the reign of Louis XIV (yes, the Sun King), masses of oak trees were planted. One of the best examples of that is in the central department of Allier, with its total of 10,600 hectares of oak forest. The so called Forest of Tronçais was planted in 1670 by minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert. What is strange is that most of the forest (73%) consists of sessile oak with a touch of beech here and there. That is particularly unusual since common oak is by far the biggest quantity of processed oak. This sessile oak (or Quercus petraea) is also called ‘Tronce’ in French, and that immediately accounts for the name of the forest. A particularly important use for wood from this forest is that it is used for the very best wine barrels.

There’s oak and there’s oak

The Forest of Tronçais leads us inevitably to consider the wood sort oak itself to put us in a better position to estimate the differences in quality. First and foremost, there is a difference between sessile oak and common oak. Both sorts are indigenous, but it is most noticeable that common oak is found far more frequently. It is also noticeable that sessile oak enjoys less prominent light than common oak. It grows in sheltered places with a more or less humid atmosphere. By nature, sessile oak naturally accompanies beech.

In some areas common and sessile oak trees are found together. Sessile oak has a preference for well drained soils in areas with fairly high rainfall and grows well in hilly areas with humous, loamy, and moderately acidic sandy soils and dry and stony surfaces. However, in contrast to common oak, you won’t find it on barren and arid sandy soils. It is equally less common on poorly drained clay soils; sessile oak cannot cope with floods and always grows outside the range of groundwater. By contrast, common oak can cope with temporary floods outside the growing season and also thrive better in areas with permanently higher supply of groundwater. It is noticeable that common oak grows best on nutritional, deep (and sandy), loamy and clay soils.

The wood from sessile oak trees is of good quality and is used a lot to make veneer. An important point here is that the trunk is straight with no knots. Generally speaking, you can say that oak wood is hard, tough, highly durable, and easy to process and is usually in class 2. Remember that the best oak is that which grows the slowest (an oak tree can survive up to 200 years and longer). The width of the growth rings is worth considering because that can vary hugely. This depends on many factors, such as the position, temperature, amount of rain, soil condition, sort, competition from other trees, and the genes of the tree. In some cases the rings can be as small as 0.3mm, but they can also be up to 15mm. This sometimes makes it extremely difficult to estimate the age of an oak tree.

Harder and darker in colour

What exactly is French oak? Obviously, it comes from France, but how do you recognise it? In this connection remember that French oak is harder and darker in colour and that you won’t encounter it all that often. What you usually will encounter is European oak, which is traditional oak wood. This is used to make things such as furniture items, stairs, doors, and parquet. French oak is cut in areas relatively close to the sea and is therefore somewhat softer and has a somewhat irregular structure.

Reforestation

We hinted above at our next point. When it comes to France, you can certainly cite is as a country with a policy of reforestation. That’s for sure. The forest surface area is gradually growing again through the reforestation of disused wastelands, abandoned fields, and mountain regions. At the moment, just over a quarter of the country’s total surface area is forest. The vast majority of forests comprise deciduous trees, but there has been a rapid rise of coniferous trees due to the high yield.

Moreover, it is only the forest land owned by the government which is exploited. Two thirds of the forest area is owned privately and is too dispersed to be exploited successfully. All together, about 550,000 people work in forestry and the timber industry in France.

Certification

France is also a pioneer in sustainable forest management. For instance, the French government recently expressed its aim to use at least 50% wood or other bio-based materials in the construction of new government offices. This shows the government recognises the climate and environmental benefits of wood as compared to fossil materials such as concrete, metal, and synthetics. Moreover, did you know that this country has initiated scores of certificates? One example is the CE labelling. Few people give it a thought, but CE stands simply for ‘Conformité Européene’, which literally means European conformity. CE labelling on a product indicates that the manufacturer’s product meets the essential requirements of European health, safety, and environmental legislation.

SOTRINBOIS

Sotrinbois was formed in 1985 by François Augry, who still leads the company today. In those days, the company produced moulds and employed five people. Today, Sotrinbois is the French market leader in the field of finish accessories. The range includes skirting boards, decorative frames, panels, and work tops in solid wood and MDF. The company employs 140 people spread over three production plants and an import platform in Charente-Maritime. For a few years now, Sotrinbois has taken part in the main trade fairs in the sector. The products are on sale in Eastern and Western Europe, South Africa, and Madagascar. The star product is the white pre-painted skirting board, a simple and affordable product. In 2020, Sotrinbois achieved a turnover of 60 million euros. The company processes 15,000m³ of MDF and 25,000m³ of wood per annum. It produces 35 million running metres of decorative frames per annum and 200,000m² work tops. +33 (0)5 46 33 33 81 - communication@sotrinbois.fr - www.sotrinbois.com

REPEX FLOOR

Repex Floor was founded in 1946, and since then develops a range of parquet Sanders. With the Raclex brand, the company has imposed his heavy Belt Sanders on the french market and in neighbouring European countries. It has also launched an Edger 'the original' which is still today the reference in its markets. In 2011, with as imperative the improvement of working conditions, for example to allow the workers sanding without being exposed to carcinogenic wood dusts, Repex Floor designs the "Cyclone", a Sander respecting standards relating to the emissions of dust (certified by the BG Bau in Germany). In 2017, the company is launching the "Repex 4 D", a powerful and heavy Sander (with additional weights Optional), perfectly versatile, to be used on the wood on concrete, marble floors , stone, etc... With this range, and its strong historical reputation of reliability and power, Repex Floor is now developing its sales in all the european markets. +33 (0)6 11 43 40 82 - philippe.ecran@repex.fr - www.repex.fr

CARDOTECH

INDUSTRIAL BRUSHES

Cardotech is a French Industrial Brush manufacturer, located at SAINTE HELENE in France, at 130 km from north of Lyon and at 200 km from Geneva. The story of Company begins in 1886, five generations ago. CARDOTECH is ISO 9001 certified (2015 version). The company exports more than 25% of its products to Europe, America and Asia. CARDOTECH is specialized in Development and in Industrial brushes manufacturing according precise specifications, in different sectors. The Company’s turnover is 2,5 million Euros, an increase of 50% since 10 years. In Wood sector, CARDOTECH is one of European leaders of Industrial brush manufacturers, in structuring and finishing. CARDOTECH’s difference is its high service level (advice, faisability, delivery times, training,…) Recent innovations 2021 : specific brushes for strong wood structuring and for sanding. +33 (0)3 85 94 16 40 - contact@cardotech.com – www.cardotech.com

THE BLANCHON GROUP, A BENCHMARK OF QUALITY

The Blanchon Group is dedicated to the building and home sectors and provides reliable solutions for protection, decoration, maintenance and renovation. The group manufactures and markets a wide range of technical varnishes and innovative paints dedicated to European markets. We have presence in the wood floor, industrial, wood and materials trading and paint wholesalers’ markets, and DIY superstores. The complementarity of its business sectors allows it to provide its customers, professionals and individuals, with reliable, innovative, aesthetic and more responsible solutions. Blanchon endeavors to make its innovation policy part of the universal values of sustainable development. In 2021, the group continues to innovate and launches the first biobased range. +33 (0)4 72 89 06 06 - export@blanchon.com – www.blanchon.be / www.groupeblanchon.com Since 1832

INTENSIV® LACQUER

The favourite high traffic lacquer which keeps the natural colour of the wood

■ 2K Water Based PU Lacquer ■ Exceptional Resistance ■ Odourless ■ Natural finish ■ gloss - satin - matt - invisible effect - ultra matt - bare timber (unfinished look)

www.blanchon.com

ALSAPAN

Alsapan was formed in 1972 and since 1985 has produced kit furniture for big French retail groups, in particular ADEO and IKEA. They started to produce laminate in 1995 under the name EPI. When the founder’s granddaughter became head of the company in 2014, it changed its name to Alsapan. Flooring and kit furniture account for about 90% of turnover. In 2018, the company achieved a turnover of 240 million euros, 100 million of which for flooring. The company employs 840 people, 170 of them working in the flooring department. The annual capacity is six million kits, two million standard work tops, and 12 million square metres of floors. Since 1995, when the flooring factory in Alsace opened, production has gradually moved, especially since 2015, towards quality decorative products, especially herringbone laminate, small planks, various sizes of big planks, and surfaces with structure. Alsace has grown step-by-step into the French laminate capital, since it’s the only place in France to have made laminate for more than 10 years. Alsapan has also made vinyl floors since 2018 and added parquet after the takeover of Parqueterie Berrichonne in 2019. Alsapan launches its floors on the market in over 60 countries all over the world. +33 (0)3 88 49 43 00 - info@alsapan.fr – www.alsapan.com

CHÊNE DE L’EST®

Chêne de l'est® manufactures parquet, solid wood floors, and ready-to-fit composite floors. Based in Lotharingen, the company looks after all phases of the parquet manufacturing process, from the tree to the end product inclusive, and the end product is ready for fitting. The factory was opened in 1960 by Joseph Bach, a carpenter by trade, and has remained a family business with its original values. Today, the company is in the hands of the founder’s children and grandchildren. They all share a love of well executed work, a passion for attractive things, and know how to appreciate the qualities of a beautiful oak floor. Thanks to their geographical location, they can sell their parquet floors both in France and abroad. The quality of their products has won over architects and decorators in France and beyond. They have all sorts of customers. The work ranges from renovation to the most luxurious projects, either for a private customer or a big group. Chêne de l'est® guarantees an ecologically responsible approach and uses wood which originates from the surrounding forests within 150km of their sites. Their wood is PEFC certified and comes from sustainably managed forests. Their floors are produced in accordance with French standards and perform as required. +33 (0)3 87 28 57 04 elisabeth.bach@chenedelest.com - www.chenedelest.com - www.quialeplusbeauparquet.com

BRUSH FACTORY

S REGISTER QUALITY ASSU LLOYD ’ • ISO9001 R ANCE cofrac

DINACHOC - THE EXPERT IN ACOUSTICS

Dinachoc has been the specialist par excellence in acoustic insulation for over 10 years. The company sells technology systems which have been tested and approved by scores of customers. Apart from the acoustic comfort features which customers expect, Dinachoc also shows great ecological concern by opting for recycled materials. This is how Dinachoc takes account of the future of the planet. The best-seller is the acoustic subfloor Dinachoc S801 (100% rubber). The company employs nine people. This year, they are launching some brand-new technology with the ACOUSTIQUE high-performance subfloor. +33 (7) 83 02 03 14 - contact@dinachoc.com - www.dinachoc.fr

DESIGN PARQUET

25 years ago, Design Parquet moved to Vitré and a few years later the brand installed to the TORCE’s site, « aux Porte de la Bretagne ». Design Parquet is a family business on a human scale with a workforce of 47 employees. Design Parquet has developed a range of innovative products and special parquet floors answering to a wide and varied demand. The company is specialized in the manufacture of solid and engineered floor parquet called « Loft » and « Loft Pro parquet » (semi-solid, birch plywood support), customized parquet and accessories. The woods used are mainly oak, hardwoods as well as exotic woods. (more than 30 types of wood and more than 30 possible finishes). The new 2021 finishes are « Haussmann », « Opéra », « Château ». Indeed, all countries interest us for our international development. +33 (0)2 99 49 66 66 - y.panaget@designparquet.fr www.designparquet.fr

EMFI

Emfi was formed in 1965 and is based in Haguenau, Alsace (France). In 1988, it helped to create the company SAPO (Société Alsacienne de Polymères) and in 1999 opened a new production site in Niedermodern. Then, from 2004 onwards, Emfi concentrated mainly on the production of polymer, polyurethane, and hybrid adhesives. In 2008, Emfi was taken over by the 3M group. A spokesperson comments: ‘Our company specialises in producing adhesive and mastic. EMFI offers polyurethane mastic, silicone mastic, hybrid adhesives, vinyl adhesives, or water-based adhesives and application material: guns, spatulas, trowels, and many other products. Our research teams, who specialise in polyurethane, develop adhesives and sealants geared entirely to the needs of professionals in the industry, construction, and transport. Our most important product is Mastic polyurethane and in 2020 we achieved a turnover of 70 million euros. At present, the company employs about 250 people and we’re working on a new sealant which can be applied without a primer. In all this we target all countries, and it is worth knowing that 80% of our turnover comes from export.’ +33 (0)3 88 90 60 00 - emfi@emfi.com - www.emfi.com

Custom-made

LOFT PRO

CHALET PARQUET

Alpine style, used-looking Oak planks aspect. Engineered Oak Loft-Pro (Birch plywood base) Thickness : 16 mm ; 2 Widths : 130 et 220 mm ; Lengths : 1000 to 2000 mm Structured, Colourless Oil or Natura Oil Square edges, round edge, Tongue and groove www.designparquet.fr