Our company
Since 1948 – the company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023! – COPEX has been a leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of machines for recycling all types of solid waste. As a privileged partner of the recycling companies, steelmakers and foundries, the company offers hydraulic shears and balers for processing scrap and metals. The Brittany-based company is also renowned for its innovative compacting solutions to press almost all compressible materials into high density bales, for example household waste, CIW, RDF, WEEE, wood, plant fibres and textiles, paper and cardboard, aluminium, light scrap metal, bulky items, etc.
“ Mr Debaere, can you tell us more about the background to your investment in a 1,000-tonne LIDEX shear press in 2021?
- The machine is installed in France in the city of Hirson (France) on a site bought by the GALLOO group in 2006. The team has significantly increased its activity, from 1,000 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes processed every month. The 800-tonne shear we had was getting old and insufficient for our new production needs. What's more, oxy-fuel cutting and other heavy parts were not passing through the machine. So the Board of Directors decided to invest in a new static shear, with the aim of processing 150 tonnes a day.
What were the factors that tipped the balance in favour of COPEX?
- Once the investment decision had been taken, we investigated the market of European manufacturers, which obviously included COPEX. As a leader in its field, the GALLOO Group has always been very sensitive to innovation and technical developments in equipment. The visit to DENGASC near Toulouse gave us the opportunity to discover the lid system unique to COPEX and the kinematics of the loading table, which enables the scrap to be dumped in the middle of the compression box. In fact, a large part of the work is carried out using the lid, making it possible to automate the operating cycle. We have already been able to verify this technical progress on our site where, since the installation of the LIDEX, almost 95% of the scrap is processed in a complete automatic cycle from closing the lid to cutting. Secondly, we liked the hydraulic system, which is highly efficient and provides smooth, reliable operation. Another advantage for the worksite is that a greater number of parts passes through this shear, enabling us to reduce oxy-fuel cutting and increase added value. Finally, I'd like to say a few words about the blade changing system developed by COPEX. I have to admit that we were a little sceptical at first, but the latest news is that our teams do indeed replace the blades in an hour, and under optimum safety and working conditions." ”
Rik Debaere, CEO
Galloo Group Belgium