Lectra, world number one for integrated technology solutions - software, automatic cutting systems for soft materials (fabrics, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials) - has decided to expand its Gironde industrial site in Cestas, near Bordeaux.

To support the company’s development, a 2,500m² building has been enlarged by 1,400 m² so as to bring all the showrooms together in one place, as well as one which is dedicated to the automotive sector, set in a production workshop.

The site, which has 540 employees, includes production activities, its Research and Development centre (with 220 engineers), as well as its main call centre.

Last December, Lectra put an intelligent leather cutting system on the market for leather industries. Named Versalis, this equipment needed a 7-million-Euro investment, of which 1 million Euros were provided by the Regional Council of Aquitaine.

Two large automobile equipment manufacturers established in China and in Europe have already bought the Versalis system.

(Source : Sud Ouest 12/01/2012)