Bonnet et Fils, a company founded in 1925 by Charles Bonnet, is a manufacturer of drills, milling cutters and wood bits. The company, which is approaching its centenary, was taken over a year and a half ago by André Ertzscheid, an arts and crafts engineer and former director of CSP Technologies for over twenty years. For one day, Bonnet & Fils has agreed to open the doors of its Monswiller factory to us.

10am

At the end of the Weidmatt industrial zone in Monswiller, on the banks of the Marne-Rhine canal, I arrive in the Bonnet & Fils car park. The boss welcomes me and tells me his story: “The first discussions for the takeover of the company founder, who had been at the head of the company since 1984, made the choice to sell the company to a non-Bonnet” The takeover was confirmed in November 2022.

PRODUCTION SIDE

After talking about his first months of managing Bonnet & Fils, André Ertzscheid takes me to the manufacturing workshop, where drill bits, milling cutters and wood drills are produced. Each station is important, from shaping to soaking, and even packaging. Some products are sold by catalogue, but others are made to measure, based on demand. When André took over the company, machines were moved to improve flow and production management: “We export 60% of our products and sell the rest throughout the country to our distributors. Exports are focused on Germany, Austria, Belgium and England. In France, we supply the construction sector and even the SNCF, for railway sleepers.”

12:00

While the discovery of workstations is in full swing, André Ertzscheid tells me that 2024 will be the year of investments: “We want to renovate the machines, but also buy new machines, to increase our production”. In the warehouse, all profiles and all ages rub shoulders: “We call on a lot of apprentices. They are full of suggestions and help us improve our productivity”, acknowledges the boss.

14:00

Before I leave, near the packaging room, a point on the competition is necessary: “There are two of us in Europe who manufacture milling cutters and wood drill bits: ourselves, Bonnet & Fils, and Eberhardt, an Austrian company”. To continue playing a leading role, Bonnet et Fils is looking to make the industry more attractive to attract young talent. Moreover, recruitment is very active.
Several profiles are sought. More information on www.bonnetfils.com/fr