Yerly Mécanique is changing its name and will now operate under the name Axxen. The company has also moved to new premises in Courroux.
The growth of the business, which has led to a steady expansion of the machinery fleet, combined with issues arising from the premises that had been occupied for many years, prompted Dominique Girardin – the company’s CEO for the past ten years – to seek a more suitable solution.
The chosen site, located in Courroux, has been operational since December 2025 and now provides Axxen with a total of over 1,600 m², of which 1,200 m² is dedicated to production – double the space the company previously had.
The layout of the new building has made it possible to optimise workflows by organising manufacturing operations into a logical sequence.
“This significant increase in floor space has enabled us to streamline production by optimising workflows, explains Dominique Girardin. From the receipt of raw materials to the final inspection, the various stages of the manufacturing process are now organised in a logical sequence. Machine operators, for their part, now have an optimal working environment that combines ergonomics with functionality. Providing our staff with more pleasant, modern and functional working conditions was also one of the reasons behind our decision to relocate.”
Dominique Girardin, CEO
The large production hall now houses a range of machinery, including 4- and 5-axis milling machines, lathes, robot-loaded turn-mill machines, and machines capable of machining to sub-micron tolerances for the finishing of fittings. The finishing department has been strengthened by the arrival of a brand-new machine, ensuring reliability and greater responsiveness for our customers. “We carry out a lot of manual reworking, explains Dominique Girardin. We are therefore also equipped with machines for planing, grinding, honing and block polishing.”
As the final stage of the manufacturing process, the company has chosen to enhance quality control of its systems by purchasing a high-precision measuring machine, enabling it to provide its customers with quality reports on request. The entire production process is managed from start to finish, with all operations carried out in-house at Axxen’s site in Courroux.
Parts are inspected on a test fixture to ensure an accuracy of 0,7µm and normal operating conditions.
Staff numbers on the rise
The workforce has also grown since Dominique Girardin took over the company, increasing from 11 to over 20 employees. “Our workforce has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting our dynamism and the trust our customers place in us. Nevertheless, we are keen to retain our intimate, family-run feel, which is an essential part of our identity. We remain true to our family-run ethos, where close relationships with our staff and a willingness to listen are integral to our culture.” There are two main reasons for this increase: firstly, to ensure versatility across the various production departments, and secondly, to strengthen the Research and Development centre. Indeed, the ever-increasing demand from customers for bespoke and highly specialised products has prompted Axxen to step up its efforts to expand its product range. “Some special requests involve prototypes that need to be fully functional from the very first assembly. We support our clients right from the start of the process, whilst at times relying on other specialist areas, such as automation. It is then a matter of managing these various factors to provide the client with the optimal solution for their production environment.” To meet these new requirements, the technical department’s staff has grown significantly.
Daniel Pic appreciates the user-friendliness of the new spaces.
Several markets
The company can work with any type of client requiring precision clamping systems. Whilst the watchmaking and medical sectors remain its key markets, it is also active in the aerospace, automotive, optical and general engineering sectors.
From the very start of the development of the micro-machine range, Axxen has been involved and has created a wide range of products designed to integrate with these machines. The constraints posed by the limited space available in these machines have driven the company to go the extra mile to find solutions to these various challenges. That is why Axxen has invested in prototyping solutions to help customers validate their various innovations. Using digital and physical 3D models, customers can validate their manufacturing processes and tooling.
Axxen: a nod to the company’s DNA
Taking advantage of the move, it was decided to change the company’s name. Dominique Girardin: “When it first started in 1990, the company produced subcontracted parts. Three years later, it began manufacturing pre-adjusters in large quantities, continuing to do so until 2002. It then branched out into manufacturing its first high-precision ball-bearing positioning fixtures. For over 20 years, the company has specialised in the manufacture of clamping systems, and it is this core identity that we wanted to convey in the new name. Axxen aims to be more neutral whilst retaining a clear reference to the ‘axis’ that is integral to the company. Shorter and more modern, the name Axxen further anchors the company’s identity in its values and the technology within which it operates“.
Some examples of Axxen products on a test bench.
Wasn’t there a risk in changing the name of a company that had been well-known for nearly four decades? “Changing a company’s name is much more than a simple administrative change. This carefully considered strategic decision coincided with our move. We have taken into account our history, our reputation and the trust our customers place in us. This change does not erase our heritage; it builds on it. It is a strategic evolution designed to better reflect our current vision and future ambitions, whilst retaining the values that have made us successful.’”
The company will also use its participation in EPHJ to showcase its new brand identity, as well as its many new products and innovations.
