Marechalle Pesage is a well-established French company with over 50 years of experience in manufacturing handling crushes and weighing equipment. With a dedicated team of over forty employees, the company has earned a reputation for innovation and a strong commitment to meeting the real needs of farmers. This drive has positioned us as the leading provider of weighing solutions in France.
Marechalle Pesage’s history is deeply rooted in family values. Since its inception in 1945, the Marechalle family has been at the helm of the company. From Pierre Joseph, the founder who initially focused on manufacturing weighing and bagging scales for coal, to Bérangère Maréchalle, the current owner since January 2023, the company’s mission remains the same: to become a leading brand both domestically and internationally.
To achieve this, Marechalle Pesage continuously strives for improvement in products and manufacturing processes. They also prioritize animal welfare and recognize the importance of facilitating the work of farmers. With these principles in mind, Marechalle Pesage aims to deliver excellence and become the go-to brand for farmers across France and around the world.
Interview with Noémie Traoré, Head of Communication and Marketing at Marechalle Pesage.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Noémie Traoré: Marechalle Pesage is a company focused in two main activities: handling and hoof trimming.
In the realm of livestock farming, handling involves the use of equipment designed to safely immobilize animals, ensuring the well-being of both the farmer and the animals. This enables a calm environment for providing care to the animals. On the other hand, hoof trimming focuses on cleaning wounds to promote optimal healing.
In both activities, our primary concern is to uphold the quality and durability of our products through optimized production processes. By employing methodologies such as lean management and implementing rigorous quality control measures, along with the versatility of our factory operators, we are able to deliver superior products. Our 6000-square meter factory is purpose-built to support the constant innovation of our engineering office.
To continuously improve our offerings and minimize human errors, we have equipped our factory with state-of-the-art equipment. This includes laser cutting technology, a press brake, two welding robots, a degreasing station, and a painting booth. These investments enable us to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and automate certain processes.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation drives us to continually provide superior equipment and solutions for our customers in the livestock farming industry.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
N.T: We are currently developing a specialized product tailored for goat farmers, designed to enhance the handling of their goats. We have created an ingenious cage that showcases the expertise of our engineers, with well-thought-out functionality to meet the specific needs of farmers. With its clever design, our hydraulic automated crush enables seamless transfer of goats to their flank. This positioning allows farmers improved access to effectively treat and care for goat hooves. With this innovative solution, our aim is to assist goat farmers in efficiently and stress-free handling of their animals, while prioritizing their well-being.
We are also currently working on an English version of our catalog to cater to the needs of our customers and expand our reach in international markets.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
N.T: We currently have 4 ranges of products: handling, hoof trimming, identification and weighing products adaptable to crushes.
In these four product categories, namely handling, hoof trimming, identification, and weighing products, we continuously modernize our products to meet the needs of livestock farmers, incorporate scientific advancements, and enhance animal welfare. This signifies the increasing technological nature of agriculture, where the constant improvement and addition of new features to our products are a key strength of our organization, made possible by our dedicated research and development team.
We understand the importance of providing livestock farmers with tools and equipment that are specifically designed for their needs. By staying up-to-date with the latest scientific research and industry developments, we ensure that our products are at the forefront of innovation. This enables farmers to enhance their operational efficiency, improve animal handling processes, and ultimately contribute to the overall well-being of the animals under their care.
At our organization, we take pride in the continuous advancement of our range of products. Our dedicated team of engineers and researchers work tirelessly in our state-of-the-art design studio to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving challenges faced by livestock farmers. Through their expertise and commitment, we are able to integrate new functionalities and features into our products, enabling farmers to benefit from the latest technological advancements in the agricultural sector.
By embracing technology and leveraging our strong research and development capabilities, we strive to provide livestock farmers with the most advanced and efficient tools to support their operations. Our focus on innovation ensures that our products remain at the forefront of the industry, empowering farmers to adapt to changing demands, enhance productivity, and contribute to sustainable and responsible farming practices.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
N.T: The livestock handling industry can be considered to be at a relatively advanced stage of maturity. Handling is a common and well-established practice in various areas of livestock farming, with a wide range of products and solutions available in the market. However, continuous innovation and technological advancements continue to provide opportunities for improvement and growth in this sector. Moreover, the market is evolving towards a greater emphasis on animal welfare, which is revolutionizing the products used and driving the industry towards new concepts and designs.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
N.T: The livestock market is currently witnessing significant advancements, particularly with the introduction of hydraulic motors that greatly facilitate the handling and care of animals by farmers through specialized cages.
With the integration of hydraulic motors, farmers now have the means to streamline their daily operations, making tasks such as veterinary treatments, hoof trimming, and general animal handling much more efficient. The advanced technology of hydraulic systems has transformed the livestock industry, empowering farmers to provide better care for their animals while improving overall productivity.
The utilization of hydraulic motors represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of the livestock market. By harnessing the power of these motors, farmers are able to reduce physical strain, enhance safety measures, and deliver higher-quality care to their animals. As this technology continues to advance, it opens new possibilities for further improvements in animal welfare, precision handling, and overall operational efficiency within the livestock industry.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
N.T: PM4700: PM 4700 – marechalle-pesage
Designed for farmers and developed in collaboration with veterinarian hoof trimmers, the PM4700 cage addresses the specific needs of livestock handlers. Our engineers have successfully created a product that effectively caters to the requirements, actions, and demands of farmers.
The PM4700 cage is an innovative product thanks to its various hydraulic motors. It features hydraulic controls on both sides of the cage for the basket, front gate, lifting jacks, anti-kickback mechanism, and rear leg lift. The integration of hydraulic motors provides enhanced functionality and control, allowing for smooth and precise operations. The hydraulic controls on both sides of the cage enable convenient access and operation from multiple angles, ensuring efficiency and ease of use for the farmers.
The PM4700 cage is designed to streamline the handling and treatment of animals, with features such as the aluminum hook for quick and safe grasping of the rear leg. The combination of innovative design, reliable functionality, and industry collaboration sets this product apart in meeting the practical needs of livestock professionals.
With the PM4700 cage, farmers can benefit from a reliable and efficient solution that caters to their specific requirements. Our commitment to developing products that meet the needs of the industry ensures that farmers have the tools necessary to perform their tasks effectively while prioritizing the welfare of the animals.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
N.T: In the field of handling, there are significant market opportunities emerging in animal welfare that are reshaping the industry. However, the real priorities lie in employee retention within the industry, as it struggles to attract qualified, young, and eager-to-learn professionals. The industry’s occupations lack attractiveness, which means that despite customer demand and market prospects, the challenge lies in retaining and recruiting individuals in a sector that does not appeal to young French talents.
While the market potential for animal welfare solutions in handling is promising, the focus must also be on addressing the workforce challenges within the industry. Retaining experienced employees and attracting new talents are crucial for the sustainable growth of the sector. Efforts should be made to enhance the industry’s image and make it more appealing to young individuals, showcasing the opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as the positive impact on animal welfare.
The current management is working towards precisely that goal – to enhance the value of the industry, its employees, and their expertise. Recognizing the importance of this direction, the new leadership is committed to promoting the industry’s professions, valuing its workforce, and showcasing their skills.
The emphasis is on creating a supportive and empowering work environment that nurtures talent, encourages professional growth, and rewards excellence. By investing in employee development programs, providing ongoing training opportunities, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, the new management aims to empower employees and enable them to reach their full potential.
The Maréchalle Pesage strategy also includes actively promoting the industry and its various professions to attract new talent. By highlighting the opportunities for personal and professional growth, showcasing the industry’s impact on society and emphasizing the fulfillment that comes from working in such a specialized field, the goal is to make the industry more appealing to young and aspiring professionals.
In summary, the young new management is dedicated to elevating the industry by recognizing the value of its professions, valuing its employees, and nurturing their expertise. Through these efforts, they aim to create a positive work environment that attracts and retains talented individuals, promotes professional development, and ultimately strengthens the industry as a whole.