TDS Treatment: Between tradition, innovation and environmental commitment

For over a century, TDS Traitement has embodied French excellence in the field of electrolytic and chemical surface treatments for metals. Founded in 1922 by Florent Vacheron, the company has successfully navigated the ages by combining family know-how and technological modernization. Today, led by Nathaly Dubois and Fleur Vacheron, the fourth generation, TDS Traitement stands out for its commitment to the industry of the future and its environmental commitment. A look back at a success story where tradition and innovation coexist harmoniously.

Combining family heritage and technological innovation

The history of TDS Traitement is above all a story of transmission and adaptation. "We inherited a company modernized by our parents, but it was essential to continue this effort to remain competitive in a demanding sector," explains Fleur Vacheron. When they took over the company in 2012, the sisters made it a point of honor to equip their production unit with the latest technologies.

TDS Traitement now has four fully automated processing lines, controlled by the CAST software package. The integration of Computer-Aided Production Management (CAPM) and several touchscreens has enabled increased traceability and optimized production flows. "Our customers, particularly in the automotive and electrical grid sectors, are impressed by our level of automation, which is still rare in our sector," emphasizes Fleur Vacheron. This modernization constitutes a strategic asset that strengthens the company's competitiveness in a constantly evolving market.

A strategic investment for the industry of the future

In the midst of the health crisis, TDS Traitement saw its turnover drop by 45%, putting a major project on hold: the creation of a new silver plating treatment line. "We had abandoned our investment plan until the France Relance plan allowed us to get it back on track," says Fleur Vacheron.

This new line, a technological gem of French manufacture, plays a crucial role in the development of electric vehicle infrastructure. It increases the processing capacity of metal parts intended for electrical grids and electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVRI) by 50%. "The electric vehicle industry is not limited to cars: charging stations, electricity transmission networks, all these infrastructures require reliable and high-performance components," she explains. This line has allowed us to address new markets and optimize our production. It operates continuously, in 3/8 shifts, which has streamlined our production and relieved our customers who had a growing need for responsiveness.

Controlled water consumption in a demanding sector

Surface treatment is an industry that consumes a huge amount of water, between 120 and 200 m³ per day. For comparison, a family of four consumes approximately 150 m³ per year. Aware of this challenge, TDS Traitement has implemented solutions to optimize and rationalize its water usage, while ensuring the optimal treatment of its industrial waste.

Environmental commitment and certifications

Far from being a mere marketing ploy, environmental commitment is at the heart of TDS Traitement's strategy. Since 2022, the company has been ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, a rare recognition in the sector. "We have always been ahead of the curve on environmental issues. Our facilities incorporate cutting-edge systems to minimize our impact," explains Fleur Vacheron.

The plant is equipped with an air washer and a treatment plant that treats the water before discharge. But the major advantage of TDS Traitement lies in its direct connection to the Lyon treatment plant via a pipeline specifically for chemical products. "This system ensures that in the event of an environmental incident, our wastewater is recovered without risk to nature," explains Fleur Vacheron.

The company goes even further by ensuring responsible management of its industrial waste. Sludge from water treatment is entrusted to Séché Environnement, a French company specializing in the secure storage and recovery of pollutants. "Our waste is geolocated and stored in waterproof cells.

"If one day we find a way to recycle certain materials, we'll know exactly where to get them," explains Fleur Vacheron. Today, we could choose to transport our waste to low-cost countries without knowing what happens to it. An ethical choice that comes at a cost, but which corresponds to the values upheld by the company.

TDS Traitement illustrates the ability of an industrial company to reinvent itself by integrating innovation and environmental commitment.

By combining the transmission of family know-how with the integration of the latest technological advances, the company has maintained its competitiveness in a changing market. Its environmental commitment, well beyond regulatory obligations, makes it a benchmark for sustainable development in the surface treatment industry.

With ambitious projects in the pipeline, including the expansion of its production capacity and the gradual integration of artificial intelligence, TDS Traitement is confirming its position as a key player in the industry of the future. "We must evolve with the times and anticipate future transformations. Innovation, the environment, and the well-being of our employees will remain at the heart of our strategy," concludes Fleur Vacheron. "Today, we are exploring financing opportunities to develop a new line, which would allow us to develop strategic market segments for the energy transition, this time focused on the interior of electric vehicles, as well as heat pumps, wind turbines, and solar panels."

Learn more: https://www.tds-traitement.com/