ACTA MOBILIER

When it was created in 1989, ACTA’s sole activity was to lacquer fronts for kitchen units. The workshop was small, and not particularly suited to the work. The equipment was basic and mostly second-hand. However, our first customers had faith in us and were pleased with the quality of our work and the services provided. At that stage, ACTA had five competitors. In 1992, the crisis in the kitchen furnishings sector encouraged ACTA to branch out into a number of other areas: - machining of kitchen surfaces - sub-contracting for the office and bathroom market - exhibition stand design and fittings Fundamental strategic choices We invested heavily in machinery and decided to build a 1,800m² factory on the Macherin Business Park in Monéteau. These strategic choices enabled ACTA to double its turnover; at the same time, all its competitors disappeared. Exhibition stand design work was developing, the team was expanding, and we introduced a substantial training policy. The company became more structured and we invested in a computer network and a CAMM system. In 1997, the surface area of the premises was increased to 4,300m² to respond to the increase in activity. We invested in two high-performance machining centres, dust-free lacquering booths, new sanding installations, an extraction system and new booths for undercoating. In 1998, ACTA won an award for innovation in the “management” category. In 2000, we installed a new CAMM system. Quality and constant progress to promote development ACTA developed its quality control and obtained certification in 2002. In 2003, the commercial team and the design office were reinforced. The aim was to develop very specific mid-price and high-end display designs, to provide a greater range of surfaces and innovative designs for all our customers. In September 2004, ACTA embarked on a continuous progress approach in collaboration with the Kaizen Institute with a view to improving productivity, quality and working conditions. In 2005, the company had more than 150 people on its payroll, many of whom had been trained by ACTA. For information, our investment in training is twice the statutory requirement. An extension of more than 700m² was built to give the polishing and shipping departments more space, as part of major extension work covering 4,500m² in all. This enabled ACTA to review its organisation in order to improve production flows and to meet increasing customer demands. Projects for investment in equipment and training were also set in motion. ACTA is henceforth an acknowledged player in the field of design and manufacture of exhibition stands, shop interiors and high-end furniture. 2006 saw the implementation of this development strategy.