Author: Dubost Rémy

As part of its ongoing commitment to energy transition and eco-responsibility, Saint Jean Industries SAS (Belleville-en-Beaujolais) recently welcomed a number of industrial companies to share its advances in waste heat recovery.

What is waste heat recovery?

Waste heat is the thermal energy produced by industrial processes that is normally lost to the environment without being exploited. This energy can be recovered and reused either directly on our industrial site (internal use), or injected into a district heating network serving other consumers such as hospitals, schools, gymnasiums, etc. (external use).

Saint Jean Industries’ waste heat recovery initiatives

Last December, we had the pleasure of welcoming Nathalie SIMON, Project Manager at Territoires d’Industrie Beaujolais, accompanied by Laura MEZIAT and Marie-Laure ENDERLIN from the Economic Development Department of the Communauté de Communes du Saône-Beaujolais (CCSB), to present our initiatives implemented in recent years to optimize the use of this often wasted energy. The meeting provided an opportunity to present key figures on our energy consumption, our energy-saving performance and the concrete projects deployed within our facilities.

Internal use

Among our flagship initiatives, in 2020 we introduced a system for recovering waste heat from our compressors and chillers. This recovered energy is reinjected to heat our machining buildings, thus reducing our overall energy consumption while improving the thermal comfort of our facilities.

In the near future, the internal heating network will be expanded to heat several other offices and produce domestic hot water.

External use via a district heating network

Another avenue being explored is the use of this waste heat for a district heating network. The idea is to supply the surplus from the internal heat network, as well as capturing the energy from the hot fumes from our smelting furnaces, and injecting it into a district heating network designed to heat public buildings, homes and other local infrastructures.

Two scenarios were evaluated:

• Surplus from the internal heat network: up to 15% of the municipal heat network requirement.

• Surplus from the internal heat network + recovery from hot smelting furnace fumes: 21% of the municipal heat network requirement.

Towards a more sustainable future

Following this initial meeting, a further meeting with local companies has been scheduled for February to continue these exchanges and present in greater detail our concrete actions to capture and valorize this waste heat. This approach enables us to reduce our carbon footprint while improving our energy efficiency.

These meetings are an opportunity to share our expertise and encourage other manufacturers to adopt similar solutions, so that together we can accelerate the decarbonization of our region. During our last exchange, a tour of our facilities enabled participants to discover our processes and technologies.

At Saint Jean Industries, we believe in the power of teamwork to meet environmental challenges and move industry towards a more responsible and sustainable approach.

At Saint Jean Industries, sport has always embodied our values of surpassing oneself, solidarity and cohesion. This year 2024 has been marked by two major international sporting events, strengthening our ties between our teams in France and China. 

A sporting collaboration born of a long-standing partnership

These initiatives are part of the partnership exchanges between the Communauté de Communes Saône Beaujolais (CCSB) and the city of Changshu, a project initially instigated by our Chairman, Emile Di Serio. These exchanges have brought our employees together around meaningful sporting challenges, while strengthening the ties that unite our two locations.

The Changshu Half Marathon: Saint Jean Industries energy in action

In October, a delegation of ten runners from Saint Jean Industries SAS crossed continents to take part in the Changshu Half Marathon, in the region where our Chinese subsidiary is located. This sporting adventure was a unique opportunity to share an unforgettable moment with our Changshu colleagues, and to proudly wear our colors on the international stage.

The challenge highlighted the team spirit that underpins our company, while testifying to our determination to go ever further, together.

The Beaujolais International Marathon: the ultimate sporting celebration

A few weeks later, it was the turn of a Chinese delegation to take part in the Marathon International du Beaujolais 2024. The delegation was warmly welcomed to the Saint Jean Industries headquarters in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, where they received their race numbers in a convivial atmosphere.

Accompanied by around thirty members of Saint Jean Industries SAS, they took to the festive roads of the Beaujolais region, perfectly embodying our values of sharing and friendship between cultures.

A team spirit that transcends borders

These two events are much more than just races: they symbolize a shared vision that transcends borders and reinforces our identity as an international company. Whether in Changshu or Belleville-en-Beaujolais, our teams demonstrated their commitment, enthusiasm and desire to build cultural and human bridges together through sport.

Congratulations to all our participants!

To find out more, read the articles published by the Patriote Beaujolais about these events:

👉 At Saint Jean Industries, a Chinese delegation received their numbers for the Beaujolais Marathon.

👉 Saint Jean Industries initiates sports partnership with China

Saint Jean Industries, a company where people are at the heart of projects

These moments illustrate our philosophy: moving forward together, taking on ambitious challenges and celebrating collective successes. We look forward to further sporting adventures.

During the Semaine de l'Industrie, Saint Jean Industries SAS strengthens its position both nationally and internationally. This is a unique opportunity for the company to share its technological advances, its commitment to sustainability and the importance of its human capital.

Our meetings at the heart of innovation for the future of industry

Saint Jean Industries has made innovation the heart of its business. During this month, Saint Jean Industries welcomed local elected officials and will be welcoming a Chinese delegation on Thursday, November 21, in order to strengthen its position both nationally and internationally. The Saint Jean Industries SAS teams presented the company’s commitment and vision for business development over the coming years.

These visits are a privileged insight into our expertise and cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of the automobile, particularly in the fields of lightweight chassis, electrification and safety. By making the most of lightweight materials such as aluminum, we are helping to reduce vehicle weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Saint Jean Industries is also delighted to be taking part in Mobility Techdays on November 20 and 21 at Matmut Stadium, Lyon. This trade show is a must-attend event dedicated to innovations in mobility and the technologies of tomorrow. Our team will be on hand to discuss our solutions and expertise in the design of lightweight aluminum parts for the mobility sector, contributing to a more sustainable future.

A strong commitment to local training and employment

At Saint Jean Industries, we believe that the future of industry lies in investing in talent. Industry Week is an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the local community Over the past few weeks, Saint Jean Industries SAS has organized guided tours for local secondary schools, immersing them in the automotive world and introducing them to all the specifics of the industrial world, from design to molding to final component assembly.

Our teams were able to share their experience and passion, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to take up careers in industry.

Saint Jean Industries also created Saint Jean University in 2020. The aim of Saint Jean University is to develop the skills of Saint Jean Industries’ employees by offering them tailor-made training, as well as to promote the versatility of employees, particularly on the shop floor.

Saint Jean Industries is pleased to announce that we have obtained the renewal of QUALIOPI certification for Saint Jean University. This certification guarantees the quality of the training process delivered by a training organization. This enables us to attest to the quality of the training provided.

Today, SJU has 14 trainers, but it’s a big family that’s just waiting to grow even bigger!

Finally, Saint Jean Industries SAS is also delighted to announce the arrival of seven new work-study students this year. The success of Saint Jean Industries also lies in training this new generation. The whole Saint Jean Industries group welcomes them and hopes their experience at SJI will be the best it can be.

Saint Jean Industries faces ecological challenges

With environmental concerns on the rise, Saint Jean Industries is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2039.

During this Industry Week, we would like to highlight all these different initiatives in favor of the circular economy, such as aluminum recycling and the reduction of production waste. Photovoltaic panels have been installed since the end of 2022 at two of our sites in the Changshu industrial zone in China and at Mojados, near Valladolid in Spain.

The next steps to enable Saint Jean Industries to emit less pollution and achieve carbon neutrality are to equip the other Saint Jean Industries sites with photovoltaic panels, notably the Saint Jean Industries Stuttgart site, located in the city of Stuttgart, Germany, and also the Saint Jean Industries SAS site, the parent company of Saint Jean Industries, located in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, north of Lyon in France.

A date for the future

Industry Week is an ideal opportunity for Saint Jean Industries SAS to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, innovation and employment. By collaborating with local partners and training young talent, we are actively contributing to the evolution of the French automotive industry. We are proud of our role in this sector, and look forward to continuing to innovate to meet the challenges of tomorrow.Saint Jean Industries SAS: Industry honored through innovation, training and sustainable commitment

At Saint Jean Industries, our ambition is clear: to support the most innovative projects by drawing on the company’s unique expertise in aluminum processing. A pioneer in the development of complex aluminum parts, SJI is committed to pushing back the frontiers of innovation by collaborating with partners who share the same passion for technical excellence.

It is in this spirit that Saint Jean Industries has collaborated with Beringer to develop an innovative technology, revolutionizing the all-terrain electrically assisted bicycle (VTTAE) sector. This collaboration is nothing new: it began at the end of 2018 with the creation of the world’s lightest aluminum BMX racing crankset, a project that proved SJI’s expertise in this field. Building on this initial success, the two companies recently launched an ambitious new challenge: the design of a seamless aluminum monoblock frame for VTTAEs, once again pushing back the limits of current manufacturing technologies.

The frame, produced using HPCC (High Precision Core Casting) technology, enables the creation of aluminum parts with complex, hollow shapes. This innovation offers a fluid design, better integration of components such as the battery, motor and cables, while maximizing the frame’s rigidity and reliability. What’s more, the absence of welding gives the product a unique carbon-like aesthetic.

*Low pressure die casting – Saint jean industries (st-ji.com)

**Machining – Saint jean industries (st-ji.com)

VTTAE frame technical specifications

Fluid design: modern aesthetics with no visible welds.

Versatility: suitable for everyday use on a variety of terrains.

Off-road comfort: VTTAE-specific suspension kinematics enhance the experience on all types of trails.

Integration: improved component layout optimizes ergonomics and performance.

Rigidity and reliability: a one-piece structure that offers excellent strength and precision without compromising comfort.

Saint Jean Industries, in partnership with Beringer, has risen to the challenge by designing the first one-piece aluminum frame. This innovative technology can, of course, be adapted to other needs or projects, and plays a major part in pushing back the limits of lightweighting in mobility solutions.

Thanks to this unique technology from Saint Jean Industries, Beringer offers three types of VTTAE models in three different sizes. If you would like to purchase one of the different VTTAE models sold by Beringer, please visit the following address: Bikes (ride-beringer.com).

The frame will be presented during the Mobility Techdays organized by Cara on November 20 and 21.

Belleville-sur-Saône, France - 11 July 2024 - Saint Jean Industries, specialising in the production of aluminium automotive components, is honoured to announce that it has received the prestigious Jaguar Land Rover Supplier Quality Award. The award recognises the company's outstanding commitment to excellence and innovation in the automotive supply chain. 

Recognition of excellence  

Jaguar Land Rover, an internationally renowned car manufacturer, awards this prize to suppliers who have demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of quality, reliability and innovation. Saint Jean Industries was selected for its ability to supply high quality components while meeting delivery deadlines and exceeding performance expectations.  

Saint Jean Industries has distinguished itself by its focus on innovation and quality. Continuous investment in research and development has enabled the company to offer products that not only meet the highest quality standards, but also the specific requirements of Jaguar Land Rover.  

A solid partnership  

The collaboration between Saint Jean Industries and Jaguar Land Rover is not new. For several years now, the two companies have been working hand in hand to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. This award reinforces that relationship by underlining the mutual trust and respect between the two companies.  

A dedicated and ambitious team  

The success of Saint Jean Industries is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of its teams. The employees, from the design office to the production teams, have all contributed to this achievement by making it a point of honour to deliver impeccable products and by constantly seeking to improve internal processes. Their expertise and passion were key to achieving this recognition from Jaguar Land Rover.  

Receiving the Jaguar Land Rover Supplier Quality Award is not only an honour, but also an additional motivation for Saint Jean Industries. The company is committed to continuing along this path of excellence and to further strengthening its partnership with Jaguar Land Rover. This award also opens up new prospects for Saint Jean Industries, consolidating its position in the automotive industry and enabling it to stand out from other carmakers looking for trusted partners.   

Watch below the ceremony at which Jaguar Land Rover presented Saint Jean Industries with the Supplier Quality Award:  

JLRQ Award Ceremony – YouTube

Saint Jean Industries D.O.O, located in the town of Slavonski Brod, Croatia, on the outskirts of Bosnia-Herzegovina, is celebrating two decades of success, innovation and excellence this year. Since its creation in 2004, the Croatian subsidiary of Saint Jean Industries has distinguished itself through its commitment to quality and innovation in the industrial sector.

SJI’s international beginnings

Over the past 20 years, Saint Jean Industries has established itself as a key player in the manufacture of safety components for the automotive and industrial sectors. Saint Jean Industries D.O.O. is the basis of our company’s development throughout the world, with the aim of becoming “glocal” (global and local).

Saint Jean Industries D.O.O is the group’s second site and its first outside France. Our Croatian site is therefore the starting point for the company’s strong commitment to emancipation throughout the world. Since then, Saint Jean Industries has become an internationally established company, both in Europe with production sites in France, Croatia, Germany and Spain, and outside Europe with production sites in the USA and China.

Discovering Saint Jean Industries D.O.O.

Our Croatian subsidiary started out with a small, dedicated team and has gradually evolved into a benchmark production site, today employing several hundred people, delivering millions of aluminum parts every year and collaborating with leading partners around the world.

Our Croatian plant has long experience in aluminum casting and machining for the automotive and industrial markets. The site boasts a wide range of aluminum processes, including melting, gravity casting, low-pressure casting, post-forging cutting, heat treatment, machining and component assembly.

The real driving force behind this success is, of course, the dedication of all our teams. Every member of Saint Jean Industries D.O.O., from the operator to the site manager to the production line managers, contributes on a daily basis to the company’s success.

“The success of this project is above all the result of teamwork between the staff of Saint Jean Industries D.O.O. and the many people involved in the Saint Jean Industries group over the past 20 years. Saint Jean Industries D.O.O has evolved in all sectors, with new manufacturing processes, new types of control, increasingly demanding customer specifications and the search for new business areas. I’m always fascinated by the Saint Jean Industries D.O.O. team’s ability to adapt quickly to change, and above all their motivation for this company. I’d like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of Saint Jean Industries Croatia over the past 20 years.” said Vincent DOSMAS, Site Manager at Saint Jean Industries D.O.O.

Into the future

Looking to the future, Saint Jean Industries D.O.O. continues to project itself into a future marked by innovation. The company plans to further automate its production capabilities and explore new markets, while maintaining its commitment to quality and sustainability.

Indeed, development projects include automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to maintain our excellence in innovation and know-how, as well as investments in greener technologies with the modernization of various processes to reduce energy consumption, and the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Slavonski Brod site.

Celebrating 20 years of Saint Jean Industries D.O.O. is not only an opportunity to look back on an impressive career, but also to look forward to new challenges and opportunities. With a solid foundation, a talented team and an unwavering commitment to innovation, the future looks bright for Saint Jean Industries D.O.O.

Since its creation, Saint Jean Industries has distinguished itself as a leader in the design and manufacture of components for the automotive industry. However, to remain competitive and meet the industry's growing challenges, the company has diversified its activities in a strategic and innovative way. This diversification is not limited to expanding its product range, but also encompasses diversified markets and ambitious ecological initiatives.

Product diversification: meeting the needs of modern industry

Renowned for its expertise in the manufacture of chassis and suspension parts for the automotive industry, Saint Jean Industries has diversified its product range in recent years. Indeed, SJI has invested in the development of high-tech products, adapted to the new requirements of electric and hybrid vehicles. For example, the design of aluminum battery packs helps to reduce vehicle weight, plays a protective role in the event of a collision, and acts as a thermal management system to increase range by using the heat supplied by the batteries. These are just two of the functions we have carefully studied to offer you the most appropriate technological solutions.

The company has also expanded into the field of brake discs. After inventing the COBAPRESS a few decades ago, Saint Jean Industries has now invented the COBADISK. COBADISK is a patented technology combining 3 processes: COBAPRESS™, crimping and casting. This innovative technology combines aluminum and cast iron in their most optimal possible use creating a brake disc that’s 25% lighter than a one-piece cast-iron disc, and comparable performance in every way.

Last but not least, the company has recently developed products with stringent sealing requirements, such as valve bodies for vehicle air-conditioning systems and battery cooling.

Market diversification: beyond the automotive sector

While the automotive sector remains Saint Jean Industries’ core business, the company has leveraged its engineering and production skills to penetrate other industrial sectors. For example, Saint Jean Industries now supplies aluminum parts to industries such as railways, robotics, trucks, agricultural machinery, energy and cable transport.

In recent years, Saint Jean Industries has also been supplying heat exchangers for gas-fired boilers, and is looking to expand into new sectors thanks to all the capabilities the company possesses.

Below is a range of our products for these new industrial sectors:

This sectoral diversification stimulates innovation through synergies between different technological fields.

Ecological diversification: a commitment for the future

Aware of today’s environmental challenges, Saint Jean Industries has made sustainability an integral part of its diversification strategy. The company has put in place initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, notably through the use of recycled materials and the implementation of less polluting manufacturing processes. Saint Jean Industries recently announced its membership of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The ASI is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability throughout the aluminum value chain. By becoming a member of the ASI, Saint Jean Industries commits to respecting and promoting the standards and best practices established by the initiative, thereby reinforcing its position as a socially and environmentally responsible company.

Recently, Saint Jean Industries has also undertaken several projects to install photovoltaic panels on the roofs of its various sites. This enables SJI to make significant energy savings. These decisions mark a significant commitment by the company to sustainable and responsible practices, and further Saint Jean Industries’ project to become an “eco-responsible” company by 2039.

Saint Jean Industries’ diversification is a key element in its strategy of growth and innovation. By expanding its product range, penetrating new markets and committing to sustainability, the company is positioning itself as a major and committed player in modern industry. This multifaceted approach not only ensures Saint Jean Industries’ resilience and longevity, but also demonstrates its commitment to creating a better, more sustainable future for all.

The ASI is a global multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout the aluminium value chain. By becoming a member of the ASI, Saint Jean Industries commits to respecting and promoting the standards and best practices established by the initiative, thereby reinforcing its position as a socially responsible and environmentally responsible company.

One of ASI’s key priorities is to ensure that aluminium is produced in a responsible manner, minimizing environmental impacts throughout the production process. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, and energy, and managing waste responsibly. By adhering to these standards, Saint Jean Industries is helping to reduce its environmental footprint and preserve natural resources for future generations.

Saint Jean Industries is now a member of the ASI, a first step, but would like to be certified on its performance in the coming months. Saint Jean Industries is currently taking all the necessary steps to obtain ASI certification as quickly as possible. Our Vice President Business Development & Advanced Engineering, Hervé Véricel, had the following to say about this membership and the potential certification of Saint Jean Industries soon:

“Saint Jean Industries wants to participate in a cleaner world, using less resources, less energy and less time. To demonstrate this involvement and to help us to reach this target, Saint Jean Industries wants to join ASI and start the process to achieve the Performance Standard Certification for our headquarter in Belleville, France first before deploying this certification all around the world.”

Finally, by working in collaboration with other ASI members, the company is helping to shape a more responsible and environmentally friendly sector, while strengthening its own competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The year 2023 was rich in Techdays for Saint Jean Industries. We organized no less than 5 Techdays. Techdays are a kind of showroom at the customer's premises. We visit our customers to show them all our capabilities, our products, our innovations and, more generally, to maintain the proximity to our customers that we consider essential for our company. From April to October, Saint Jean Industries visited Alpine, Renault, Ferrari, AMG and Hyundai.

A desire to be close to our customers

Techdays are one of the ways we share our know-how and expertise with our customers. Rather than waiting for our customers to come to us, we come to them. Our Techdays are tailor-made events that showcase our latest products, processes and innovations.

Created and imagined in the early 2010s by the marketing department at Saint Jean Industries, Covid-19 had unfortunately put a stop to these events in the wake of the sanitary measures put in place. The year 2023 therefore marked the return of these Techdays in physical form.

The many benefits of Techday

• Comprehensive product presentations: Our experts present almost all our products and their functionalities.
• Interactive presentations: We offer interactive presentations explaining our manufacturing, testing and quality control processes…
• Discussions with our experts: You’ll have the opportunity to talk directly to our engineers and automotive safety experts. They’ll answer your questions and explore your company’s specific needs.

We would like to thank all our different customers for their warm welcome and for all the relevant exchanges.

We are very proud and honored to have been able to revive these face-to-face events, and look forward to running them again in 2024.

Here’s an example from one of our Techdays this year: