The history of Saint Jean Industries

From French aluminum foundry to international supplier...

1962
Creation of the aluminium foundry
Premières réunions à Saint Jean Industries

It is in 1962 that the company of the Garavoglia Brothers was born, with a capital of 130 000 francs and 6 people. It is specialized in the aluminium foundry of small parts.

1974
Thomas Di Serio takes the reins of the company
Thomas Di Serio

It is during the crisis of the 70s that Thomas Di Serio enters the company. He reorganized the company's activity before taking over the management and naming it "Fonderie de Saint Jean".

1982
The birth of COBAPRESS™
Histoire de Cobapress

Thomas Di Serio invented the COBAPRESS™ (COuler, BAsculer, PRESSer) manufacturing process in 1982. The goal was to improve the mechanical characteristics of bicycle cranks.

1993
First decisive turns in the automobile industry
Pièces fait par SJI pour la Peugeot 406 coupée

A license for COBAPRESS™ is granted to a French car manufacturer. Following favorable tests on ground connection parts, the technology is approved.

1995
The Conquest of America

For its first participation in the SAE show in Detroit, SJI is taken very seriously by the American manufacturers. The first projects were initiated. Exports were developed, and a license was granted to the American leader in the manufacture of car rims, SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES. So much so that a dedicated site was built in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

2002
Emile Di Serio succeeds his father at the head of SJI
Salon fait par SJI en 1994

The company is growing rapidly. The headquarters site expands and integrates more and more technologies, including the first fully robotized production line. Emile Di Serio takes over from his father and strengthens the international dimension of the group.

2003
First establishments abroad
Thomas et Emile Di Serio pour l'inauguration du site SJI en Croatie

Saint Jean Industries sets up in Slavonski Brod in Croatia to increase its capacity in Europe. This new production site will benefit from the group's expertise in aluminum casting and machining. Four years later, in the same spirit, the German company AGR GmBH located in Leipzig is bought.

2004
First steps in Asia
Thomas et Emile Di Serio en 2006 pour inaugurer le partenariat Mic devant le site Asan Coba

A license for the COBAPRESS™ patent is assigned to the equipment manufacturer MYUNGHWA INDUSTRIES. This South Korean group is specialized in the manufacture of chassis and engine components. From this agreement, a production site dedicated to the manufacture of COBAPRESS™ ground connection parts will be born.

This will be followed in 2005 and 2007 by the opening of sales offices in China and Japan.

2006
Establishment in the US market
Site de Saint Jean Industries Heber Springs aux Etats-Unis

The American SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES reorganizes its activities. It has decided to focus on its historical market of aluminum wheel manufacturing. This forces it to separate from its production site for aluminum and COBAPRESS™ cast chassis parts. The SJI group seizes the opportunity and buys the site which becomes Saint Jean Industries Inc.

2009
Braking in addition
Technologie Beringer

The Di Serio family acquires the company BERINGER. This French company specializes in the manufacture of high performance braking systems for cars and motorcycles. A license agreement is signed for the exploitation of BERINGER technologies and the supply of braking equipment as original equipment.

2010
Aluminum rims
Site de Saint Jean Industries Hoyanger

Saint Jean Industries takes over the technologies of the Norwegian company FUNDO specialized in the manufacture of aluminum wheels. FUNDO becomes Saint Jean Wheels. This takeover will allow the development of the COBAWHEELS™ technology allowing the lightening of aluminum rims.

2010
Cast iron and steel
Usinage d'une pièce à SJI

51% of the shares of FOURNIER SA are bought with the help of the FMEA rank 2. The objective is to strengthen the group's engine division with its expertise in hard metal machining and its prototyping capacity. FOURNIER SA becomes Saint Jean Industries Lorraine. 

2011
The beginnings in aeronautics

Acquisition of a subsidiary of the RUAG aerospace group. The Swiss company is recognized for its expertise in the machining of complex structural parts in titanium and inconel. The new entity becomes Saint Jean Aero, the reference competence center in its market. 

2012
SJI produces cylinder heads
Culasse adobespark

Rescue of the FDPA (Fonderie Du Poitou Aluminium) allowing the preservation of most of the jobs of the site. FDPA produces aluminum cylinder heads and engine parts. For SJI, this choice of takeover is part of its strategy of product diversification through external growth.

2013
Extension of Slavonski Brod
Inauguration d'un nouveau site

The motor division continues to strengthen with the inauguration of the extension of the site in Croatia. This extension will be dedicated to the machining, assembly and testing of aluminum compressor housings. 

2014
Innovations and a new historical contract
Corner arrière desassemblé

Saint Jean Industries reveals about ten product/process innovations allowing, among other things, the lightening of the vehicles.

This same year, Saint Jean Industries wins one of its biggest contract with the group FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobile). This contract concerns the supply of parts manufactured in traditional aluminium foundry and COBAPRESS. 

2015
Extension Saint Jean Industries Inc
Site de Saint Jean Industries Heber Springs aux Etats-Unis

The American site in Heber Springs is investing heavily in automated lines to meet growing customer demand.