France's leading group in heat treatment and vacuum deposition

1960 - 1970

The decade of expansion

In 1960, Louis Villard decided to take over the heat treatment business of ROCHET-SCHNEIDER, then in liquidation, and asked the PARTIOT company for a shareholding to start the THERMI-LYON adventure. Heat treatment was not yet taught in schools, and the fifteen or so employees learned on the job. In the 70s, THERMI-LYON forged strong links with a number of regional companies, including major customers such as BERLIET and RICHARD CONTINENTAL. THERMI-LYON quickly established itself as an expert in custom heat treatment.

1970 -1985

A local ambition

Customer needs grew considerably, and Louis Villard perfected the company's reputation throughout much of France. Jean-Claude Monier, Louis Villard's son-in-law, joined the THERMI-LYON team in 1970 to assist his father-in-law with administrative matters. This year marked the company's first technological shift, with the integration of a vacuum furnace for the first time.

The desire to develop a local service, motivated by the first oil crisis, and to take on new challenges are important leitmotivs for the founder of THERMI-LYON.

In 1972, THERMI-LYON bought its first company, TREMPELEC, in the heart of the Arve Valley, which had become a major hub for the screw-cutting industry.

In 1977, THERMI-LOIRE was born, specializing in the processing of large parts (1.5 tons per load).

In 1984, INFRA-THERM near Grenoble joined the group, specializing in salt bath treatment and quenching of light alloys for sports and leisure parts.

1985 - 1990

New impetus for transition

At the turn of the year 85, Louis Villard retired, and after 15 years of experience, Jean-Claude Monier took over at the head of the company.

He decided to focus exclusively on heat treatment, in all its forms, in order to offer each customer the solution best suited to their needs.

Productivity increased, numerous investments were made to remodel workshops and measuring instruments improved quality.

THERMI-BUGEY in Martignat joined the group in 1987.

1990 -2000

Towards a new era

With the acceleration of globalization, the Group is experiencing one of its most prolific periods in terms of acquisitions and business creation.

Concerned about its environmental impact, the Lyon-based SME pursued its quest for innovation in the search for cleaner equipment, and continued to invest in high-performance equipment: vacuum carburizing and controlled gas nitriding. In 1996, the THERMILYON Group decided to expand into P.V.D (Physical Vapor Deposition) and PA-C.V.D (PVD-assisted CVD deposition). In 1996, THERMI-PLATiN' was created to offer a complementary activity to heat treatment: vacuum deposition.

2000 - 2010

Global competence

3 major areas of development illustrate these years: 

- Development of the aerospace industry: THERMI-GARONNE is created in 2000, and the EN 9100 quality system is upgraded for the THERMI-LYON, THERMI-LOIRE and THERMI-GARONNE sites in 2006. In 2007, THERMI-GARONNE became the first French contract heat treating plant to achieve international NADCAP heat treating certification.

- International expansion: In 2003, THERMI-LYON set up its first plant outside France, in response to its customers' need for international expansion. THERMI-METALURGICA was born in Romania.

- The development of WC-C and then DLC tribological coatings: THERMI-LYON perfects the industrialization of new coatings that improve sliding and are also biocompatible. These enabled THERMI-PLATIN' to strengthen its position in the medical sector.

2010 - 2020 and beyond

Innovating and investing for tomorrow

Florent Monier, grandson of Louis Villard, joins the management team and brings a new dynamic to the family SME. Building on its values and worldwide reputation, the company continues to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and R&D. By recruiting highly qualified staff, innovation is put at everyone's service. Continuous improvement in heat treatment and quality control, as well as investment in new technologies for the future, remain a priority area of development. For example, we have developed THERMI-SP, a dedicated treatment for stainless steels, which has opened up export markets for the first time.