Nextfab Programme to Treble Output at Roanne

Nexter has inaugurated the first two (of four) high-speed machining areas at its Roanne plant, in order to increase production capacity to meet French Army demand, the company announced on 9 September.

Using techniques that achieve machining speeds several times higher than conventional methods, while simultaneously sparing tool wear, the result is significantly better industrial yields. When fully implemented, the HSM ‘island’ at Roanne will allow the plant to produce parts for the 450+ vehicles to be delivered to the French Army annually from 2025.

This project represents approximately one third of the €60 million investment Nexter is making in the ‘Nextfab’ Roanne site modernisation programme, which aims to treble its vehicle output by 2025. This will involve increasing the site by 12,000m2 and redesigning 70% of the total area, providing new capacity for production, testing facilities, logistical support, customer support activities and staff training. Roanne plays a prominent role in implementing the Army’s SCORPION programme, replacing medium armoured vehicles and updating some of the LECLERC tanks.

“The commissioning of this high-speed machining island [is] a major step in the Roanne site’s capacity increase. Thus, Nexter is developing in line with our ambition to treble vehicle production by 2025. Thanks to the know-how provided by FIVES Machining, Nexter is achieving unprecedented industrial and technological capabilities,” commented Sylvain Rousseau, Nexter’s Director of Operations.