Introducing our partner SERE MAINTENANCE

SERE MAINTENANCE was established in 1962 in Vertou, in the Loire-Atlantique department, and specialises in designing and selling lifting equipment, handling systems and overhead cranes. Its all-round specialists also carry out the necessary studies, inspections (Regular General Checks) and fault repairs for this kind of equipment. SERE MAINTENANCE belongs to VERLINDE's after-sales network covering Brittany and Pays de Loire, as well as to the EUROPONT network.

A conversation with CEO Ludovic Mathys

Could you share some of SERE MAINTENANCE's history with us?

Société d'Etudes et de Réalisations Electriques (a company for studying and delivering electrical projects), known as SERE, was set up in 1962 by Mr Gabriel Mainguy. SERE first built its business around electricity and electrical engineering, covering work such as fitting out buildings, installing electrical cabinets, and maintaining electrical systems and machinery.

The company grew closer to Verlinde, at that time a pioneer in manufacturing lifting devices, hoists and electric overhead cranes, during the 1970s, and joined the Verlinde after-sales service network. It later became one of the founding members of the Europont network when it launched in 1992. Throughout the 90s SERE kept diversifying into lifting/handling and construction, before becoming SERE MAINTENANCE in 2000.

That said, the company still maintains an electrical-sector business.

Does SERE Maintenance also work in cathodic protection?

In 1964, Gabriel Mainguy created a «corrosion and cathodic protection» division. Almost 60 years on, SERE MAINTENANCE is now a leading name, both in France and internationally, for manufacturing and distributing equipment for «active» and «passive» cathodic protection. In demanding sectors such as oil and gas and water utilities, production equipment and materials suffer electrochemical wear from the corrosion of metal structures, whether underground or submerged.
This corrosion, which creates pollution and safety hazards, can lead to fires and accidents. Cathodic protection exists precisely to counter this, offering an effective, lasting safeguard.

What lifting/handling services does SERE MAINTENANCE provide today?

SERE MAINTENANCE is a versatile operator that manages clients' projects from start to finish. We oversee the installation and commissioning of hoists, jib cranes, overhead cranes and overhead handling systems, drawing on well-mastered handling techniques and years of experience. Our work goes beyond installation and commissioning to include compliance testing, load testing and the geometric alignment of runways and overhead cranes.
SERE MAINTENANCE offers a full installation service for lifting equipment: runways, monorails, the electrification of lifting units, and lifting accessories such as radio controls or slings.

Which markets does SERE MAINTENANCE mainly serve?

SERE MAINTENANCE's business reaches widely and serves every type of industry. Our skills are broad-based and backed by extensive technical expertise. For example, we're currently fitting out the workshops of Les Machines de l'Île, a show company in Nantes - though that project is somewhat unusual for us. More typically, we work with the food industry, in production plants, and even in quarries. We manufacture bespoke parts and can tackle a wide variety of technical challenges and projects.

How would you describe your corporate culture?

SERE MAINTENANCE is a family firm currently employing 15 people. We serve the Brittany and Pays de Loire regions, with an agency in Vertou in the Loire-Atlantique department and an office in the Morbihan department. I took the business over from my father in 2018. Ours is a people-focused culture, and we value staying close to both our employees and our colleagues. We've recently brought on a business manager to grow our client base across the areas we serve. Staying a company on a human scale remains important to us.

Could you share an example of a completed project?

We've recently fitted a quarry with a double-girder crane carrying a VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT 20-tonne, 6m-span hoist.

A further example: France's leading name in prefabricated construction systems recently asked SERE MAINTENANCE to design and build a process machine using overhead crane components, intended for transporting and handling concrete at one of its production plants. The 5-tonne double-girder suspended crane (5 x 14 meters) carries a VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT3 electric hoist with a double cable outlet. Because the load sits off-centre from the crane, a 2 points lifting beam keeps it stable. The hoist's variable steering speed allows very precise positioning of the concrete bucket, which forms an integral part of the machine.