10 March 2026

From a material constraint to an engineering project

In 2021, the sharp rise in raw material prices forced our client to rethink a series of technical parts used for slowing down, stopping, and positioning aerial work platforms. For these highly specialized parts, production volumes reach nearly 32,000 units per year, which immediately turned the issue into a major industrial challenge.

Faced with this situation, the goal was not to make minor modifications to the existing design, but to find a solution capable of maintaining mechanical performance while managing the economic impact of material costs. A comprehensive review was then initiated, focusing on both the design and the manufacturing process.

Several parts were thoroughly re-engineered. Mechanical stresses were analyzed, and different thicknesses were simulated and then tested until a relevant manufacturing improvement was identified. As a result, some parts transitioned from sheet metal fabrication to stamping, while incorporating reinforcements where necessary.

This approach significantly reduces the amount of material used while maintaining production volumes and ensuring a secure supply chain. It is a concrete demonstration of what close collaboration between mechanical design and industrial expertise can achieve.

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