Integris is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 30 years of manufacturing in our French facility. Over the past three decades, Integris has grown from a small startup into a major player in the personal protection, vehicle and aviation ballistic solutions market. The company’s journey has been characterized by innovation, strategic capital investments and acquisitions, and a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction and a tremendous team.
The company’s roots date back to its founding by a local entrepreneur, who recognized an opportunity in the personal protection and body armor industry back in the early 90’s.
“He decided to put his footprint in the market and saw an opportunity to be one of the only French companies in personal ballistic protection,” recalls Derek Sherwin, Managing Director of Integris France.
Initially focused on lightweight body armor, Integris quickly expanded into vehicle armor, working closely with local companies and engineers to develop ballistic protection solutions.
In the early years, the company having developed a range of solutions and capabilities under the brand Ares was identified by the Tencate group as a strategic acquisition. This acquisition provided the necessary support and resources for Integris to expand its capabilities and enter new markets.
“TenCate decided to buy Ares, and they started to invest in developing the base line of products with view on expansion Sherwin explains. This investment paved the way for significant growth in all market sectors, particularly in the aerospace sector.
By 2010, Integris had established a partnership with Airbus (then Eurocopter) supported by the local commune to develop a facility for Aircraft ballistic solutions for military helicopters, originally the NH90 Helicopter variant. This collaboration marked a major turning point for Integris, allowing the company to enter the aircraft manufacturing market where we are still very strong.
“The partnership with Airbus to develop the NH90 was a major step for us. We built this facility with support from the local commune to support aircraft applications,” notes Christine Pradel HR Manager.
Integris’ expansion into the aerospace industry required stringent quality control and certification processes and the recruitment of high level technical experts. The company successfully obtained several key certifications, including ISO 9001 and AQAP, which are crucial for manufacturing in the aerospace sector. These certifications reflect Integris’ commitment to quality and its ability to meet the high standards required by its customers and further Helicopter and Aircraft solutions have subsequently been developed expanding our customer portfolio.
In addition to aerospace, Integris has continued to innovate in vehicle and personal protection solutions. The company has developed advanced technologies such as multi-shot vehicle armor and internal ballistic protection solutions. Integris’ focus on technical applications allows it to offer complex components and shapes, providing a one-stop shop for its customers.
One of the company’s strengths is its ability to adapt and respond to market demands. Integris has invested heavily in capacity and capability, increasing its production capacity from 100,000 ballistic plates per year in 2012 to 300,000-400,000 ballistic plates per year today. This flexibility allows Integris to handle large orders and maintain high standards of quality and efficiency. More recent strategic investments into CNC composites capabilities have increased the both capacity and develop higher technical applications.
Despite its growth, Integris remains committed to its roots in France with significant growth coming from all segments . The company is a significant employer in the local region, with a workforce of around 145 people. Integris values its employees and invests in their development, ensuring a skilled and motivated workforce. A major strength of our French team is their flexibility and focus on high levels of quality as the Intergis team fully recognises our focus is centered around protecting people.
“We continue looking for ballistics engineers and technical engineers. Our region attracts technical people, and we aim to retain them,” says Pradel.
Integris’ success is also reflected in its financial performance. The company’s revenue has doubled in the last 5 years, with substantial increases in profitability. This growth has enabled Integris to reinvest in its operations and continue expanding its capabilities.
As Integris celebrates 30 years of focused team work in France, the company looks forward to continuing its legacy of innovation and quality. With a strong foundation and a commitment to excellence, Integris is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of its customers and remain a leader in the ballistic solutions market.
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