Reconditioning of equipment

Through its engineering subsidiary Ingelo, Compagnie des Alpes provides its expertise to the Group's various sites in terms of technical studies, project engineering, manufacturing and construction. The subsidiary particularly embodies the environmental commitments of Compagnie des Alpes, particularly with regard to reducing waste by reconditioning ski lifts, snow groomers and artificial snow systems. Since 2014, nearly 1,300 tons of steel and various metals have been reused in a short circuit...

TO GO FURTHER

Limiting the use of new raw materials
The first step is to analyse the possibilities of reconditioning 100% of the ski lift equipment on our sites. Thus, for each piece of equipment reaching the end of its life cycle or requiring replacement for various reasons, Ingelo studies the possibilities of renovation and refurbishment to avoid total replacement and maintain the value of the parts as long as possible. If the nature of the project requires replacement with new equipment, the subsidiary can investigate the reconditioning of the equipment at another site. The dismantling and recovery of equipment by scrap dealers is always a second step.

A second life for the snow groomers
In order to give a second life to our snow groomers, a partnership with a local company (CM DUPON) has been set up to recondition them. When our machines reach the end of their life cycle, those that meet specific criteria are sent for a complete overhaul. They are disassembled to identify, part by part, which wear parts need to be changed, which parts can be repaired, and which parts will be prepared for re-use. On average, only 10% of the parts are replaced with new ones. Once reassembled, the reconditioned groomer starts a new life cycle, doubling its life. Reconditioning work has the advantage of using skilled, local labour and reducing the need for new parts.

Innovation in the heads (of snow guns, but not only!)
Ingelo is also behind the development of new products, particularly in the field of snow guns. In addition to the search for performance in terms of the quality of snow produced at marginal temperatures, the subsidiary is also looking for environmental performance in terms of both energy consumption and consumption of raw materials. Thus, the equipment developed allows energy savings of up to a factor of 10 compared to older equipment. Also, part of the range is developed by modifying existing snowmaking heads or by reusing other components (poles, supports, valves, etc.) from a second-hand stock.

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