1 Jun 2026
,France
Vouillon is finalizing its setup in a new factory in Mâcon to support the growth of its timber frame structure business. Faced with a lack of space and the need to modernize its industrial facilities, the SME is focusing on industrialization and off-site prefabrication. These methods, increasingly used in construction, help reduce timelines, improve site safety, and minimize carbon footprint.
The company has left its 2,000 m² premises in Trambly to move into a 5,500 m² site in Mâcon. The new site includes two production halls as well as offices. The total investment amounts to €8M, with €700,000 in funding secured through the France 2030 program.
The goal is clear: to increase production capacity, improve quality and output rates, while enhancing working conditions. The first hall, dedicated to facades and timber frame walls, is the core of the prefabrication activity. It houses two production lines: the existing line and a new complete 65-meter line, organized into five successive stations (framing, film application, insulation, bracing, and finishing).
To streamline operations, Vouillon has invested in a panel unstacking robot, tasked with automatically feeding the production lines. Internal logistics also rely on racks totaling 4,000 linear meters of storage, reducing handling and securing operations.
The second hall is dedicated to framework and equipped with three numerically controlled cutting machines. Investments have also been made to enhance safety and the working environment, notably with an upgraded dust and chip extraction system.
This modernization is part of an ambitious growth strategy. Vouillon aims to double its activity over six years, with an annual growth of 10 to 15%, driven primarily by prefabrication. At the same time, the company seeks to rebalance its client portfolio: individual housing, which currently accounts for 80% of revenue, is expected to drop to 50% in favor of tertiary, public, and collective housing sectors.
The location in Mâcon addresses key logistical challenges, situated at the crossroads of the A6, A40, and RN79 highways. This position facilitates both the supply of timber, particularly from the Jura, Saône-et-Loire, and Savoie regions, and deliveries across a wide area, from the south of Île-de-France to the PACA region.
Vouillon currently employs 30 staff members and is conducting a recruitment campaign for around ten additional hires. By 2030, the workforce could grow by another fifteen employees. A new investment phase is already planned for late 2026 or early 2027, ranging from €200,000 to €300,000, including the development of a cladding pit and further automation enhancements.
