Presentation of partner SERE MAINTENANCE

Founded in 1962 at Vertou in the Loire-Atlantique administrative department, SERE MAINTENANCE’s specialty is the design and sale of lifting equipment, handling systems and of overhead cranes. SERE MAINTENANCE’s versatile professionals also carry out any required studies and checks (Regular General Checks) and fault clearances for systems and equipment of this type. SERE MAINTENANCE is a member of VERLINDE’s after-sales network for the regions of Brittany and Pays de Loire and also a member of the EUROPONT network.

Interview with CEO Ludovic Mathys

Can you tell us something about SERE MAINTENANCE’s history?

Société d’Etudes et de Réalisations Electriques (company for the study and delivery of electrical projects) (SERE) was founded in 1962 by M. Gabriel Mainguy. SERE initially developed its business in the field of electricity and electrical engineering; it’s activities included equipping buildings, setting up electrical cabinets together with the maintenance of electrical installations and machines.

Closer relations with Verlinde, then a pioneer in the manufacture of lifting devices, hoists and electric overhead cranes , took place in the 1970s. SERE joined the Verlinde after-sales service network. Then the company became one of the first members of the Europont network when it was created in 1992. In the 90s SERE continued to diversify its activities in lifting/handling and construction and became SERE MAINTENANCE in 2000.

However, the company retains an electrical sector business.

Does SERE Maintenance also handle cathodic protection?

EIn 1964, Gabriel Mainguy set up a «corrosion and cathodic protection» division. Almost 60 years later, SERE MAINTENANCE is today a leading player in France and across the world for the manufacture and distribution of equipment designed for «active» and «passive» cathodic protection. Faced with operational intensity in certain industries, such as the oil and gas industries and water boards, production materials and equipment are exposed to electrochemical wear due to the corrosion of metallic structures, both undergroound and immersed.
Such corrosion, a source of pollution and danger, can lead to fires and accidents. To counter this phenomenon, cathodic protection is designed to be an effective and sustainable resource.

What services does SERE MAINTENANCE offer today in the field of lifting/handling?

SERE MAINTENANCE is versatile and carries out its clients’ projects from A to Z. We control the installation and commissioning of hoists, jib cranes, overhead cranes and overhead handling systems thanks to fully controlled handling techniques and many years of experience. Our services are not limited to installation and commissioning; we also carry out compliance testing, load testing and the geometric alignment of runways and overhead cranes.
SERE MAINTENANCE provides a comprehensive service focused on the installation of lifting equipment: runways, monorails and the electrification of lifting units as well as lifting accessories such as radio controls or slings.

What are SERE MAINTENANCE’s main markets?

SERE MAINTENANCE’s business activity is far-reaching and caters for all types of industry. Our skills are broad and include a wealth of technical expertise. For instance, we are fitting out the workshops of the Les Machines de l’Île, a show company in Nantes. However, this project is out of the ordinary. But we also operate with the food industry, in production facilities and even in quarries. We make bespoke parts and we can deal with a wide range of technical issues and projects.

What is your corporate culture?

SERE MAINTENANCE is a family business with a current workforce of 15. We cover the regions of Brittany and the Pays de Loire, with an agency in the Loire Atlantique administrative department at Vertou and an office in the Morbihan department. I took over the business from my father in 2018. Our culture is human-oriented, and we encourage proximity, both with our employees and our co-workerss. We recently recruited a business manager to develop our clientele in the regions we service. We want to remain a company on a human scale.

Can you give us an example of a delivered project?

We have just installed a double girder crane equipped with a VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT 20-tonne, 6m-span hoist for a quarry.

Another example: SERE MAINTENANCE was recently called upon by the French front-runner in prefabricated construction systems, for the design and manufacture of a process machine based on overhead crane components designed for the transport and handling of concrete in one of its production plants. The 5-tonne double girder suspended crane (5 x 14 meters) is fitted with a VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT3 electric hoist with double cable outlet. As the load is offset from the crane, the 2 points lifting beam ensure its stability. The hoist offers variable steering speed for very precise positioning of the concrete bucket which is an integral part of the machine.