Opening of first HTEC in Haute-Normandie France

We aim to be at the forefront of technological innovation to improve the competitiveness of our students,” says school principal, Mme Chantal Porte. “For that reason we have acquired a range of the latest production machines and ancillary equipment, 

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Zaventem, Brussels. October 31^st, 2011: The Haas Technical Education Centre programme has arrived in the most northern part of France.

Although the first in the region, this is the second HTEC for HFO Clermont en Argonne: A Division of Realmeca, and the first in a French, public high school: The Lycée Polyvalent Anguier, in the city Eu.

Opened on September 28th 2011, the new, fully equipped facility boasts no fewer than 13 Haas CNC machine tools, including 4 Haas Mini-Mills, a VF-3SS Super Speed and 5 examples of the tried-and-tested Haas CNC turning centre, the SL-10. The machines and the facility were part-financed by La Région Haute-Normandie.

 “We aim to be at the forefront of technological innovation to improve the competitiveness of our students,” says school principal, Mme Chantal Porte. “For that reason we have acquired a range of the latest production machines and ancillary equipment, and we have established important partnerships and collaborations with the wider, economic and industrial communities.”

Also present at the grand opening was M. Patrick Chesnel, project manager at Lycée Polyvalent Anguier: “Over the past three years we have completely transformed our teaching infrastructure,” he says. “We’ve added Haas machine tools to make sure our youngsters have the best possible skills in the field of CNC machining. With the support of Haas Automation and its local Haas Factory Outlet, Realmeca we have created an attractive and inspiring space with some of the most sophisticated and efficient machines available. We feel we are now perfectly set-up to meet the needs of our students and industry at large.”

Speaking from the Haas Automation Europe headquarters, in Zaventem, Brussels, Mr. Bert Maes explains why the Haute-Normandie region in particular will benefit from the new HTEC: “Normandy has the largest port complex in France,” he says, “and one of the largest in Europe, which has helped underpin the success of local automotive and aeronautics companies. We believe that for the region to remain an industrial powerhouse, strong educational institutions and well-trained students are also essential. I am convinced that the Lycée Polyvalent Anguier, with its Haas CNC machine tools and strategic, industrial partnerships will prove to be a catalyst for further industrial development in the region, particularly in the precision engineering sector.”

Note: The third HTEC in France will open on December 12^th 2011, at the Centre de formation des apprentis des Compagnons du Devoir de Colomiers, Toulouse, South West France. The organisation ‘Compagnons du Devoir’ has 84 training centres in France.