Par
Editorial Challans
Published on
Jan 18, 2025 at 6:20 a.m.
In Saint-Paul-Mont-Penit (Vendée) Jean-Marie Aucoin, born in 1829, worked in wood. His son Armand, born in 1867, took over as carpenter, becoming a cabinetmaker. Elie was born in 1901, continuing as a wheelwright. Then Francis, born in 1930, who developed the business in the town, at the intersection of the Palluau road opposite the War Memorial. His son Luc (1954) moved the establishment to the private Bellevue area, on the Montpenois border of Saint-Etienne-du-Bois and Palluau. And finally Fabien (1985) took charge in 2018. After six generations, it is the end of a dynasty since the activity moves to the town of Aizenay.
The wooden frame at the base
Signabois is first and foremost a wooden frame house. “Afterwards, we have the activities of carpentry, exterior interior carpentry which concerns the fitting out of parquet as well as the installation of kitchens, shutters, exterior terraces…” In seven years at the head of the family business and retaining ten employees, Fabien Aucoin notes the changes in consumption. “After Covid (2020), the market was boosted a little in construction. With strong demands on individual houses, extensions, enlargements of the existing one. Over the past year, it's been a little different. The house market is calming down and it is renovation which is offsetting this decline. The fact that we are multi-activities allows us to switch from one position to another. »
First house in 1987
The first wooden house in Saint-Paul was built for and by his parents in 1987. How has the market evolved since then? “It’s stable. Despite a period of evolution around ten years ago. Today, depending on the sector, it fluctuates between 5 and 15% wooden frames compared to all construction. It remains a minority but is gaining more and more momentum, particularly in the professional building, school and high school markets. We see a craze. » Energy regulations are encouraging for the entrepreneur. “The share of wood becomes obligatory. It will grow. Renovation an essential market. The wooden frame will have its card to play. It still represents too little market share today. This will necessarily increase compared to the standards and carbon footprints of new houses. »
-The advantages of wood
Even if its price remains above brick or concrete block. “But the gap is smaller. And then there is the energy and surface area gain. On the same footprint of 100 m2, we gain 3-4 m2. A little piece of room. In extension, there is real interest. » Member of the Artipôle purchasing cooperative in La Ferrière, Signabois also needs space. Hence his departure. “It’s a story of space, visibility, working comfort. Have a tool that meets the needs of employees and our customers. Evolve to be consistent with the market. » The Montpenois site does not yet have a mapped out future. Either rented or sold by the Aucoin family.
Near the recycling center
Near the new Aizenay recycling center and on the edge of the dual carriageway leading to Challans, Fabien Aucoin is building on 4,000 m2. “About like in Saint-Paul. On the other hand, with an optimized building: overhead crane, volumes adapted to circulation, indoor storage for quality. A little larger, with 800 m2 of workshop and around a hundred square meters of office. » And it won't stop there. “In construction, there is a labor shortage, so it’s complicated to find qualified personnel. We have trained some in retraining but we are looking for basic graduates in our field. » Signabois has always had apprentices, two currently. “The goal would be to have two more people depending on the evolution of the changing market. With new things behind, renovation takes over. I also think there will be a need for demolition and reconstruction. »
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