From machine manufacturer to machining expert: 75 years of ZEDCE

Introduction

Since 1946, ZEDCE has supported demanding industrial clients in the Arve Valley and beyond with a consistent promise: to deliver high-precision mechanical parts that are reliable and consistent over time. Originally a manufacturer of machining equipment, the company gradually applied this expertise to subcontracting for the automotive, aerospace, medical, and hydraulic industries. Today, ZEDCE combines a modern CNC machine park, robotics, and machining to produce critical parts with micron-level tolerances, all at a single site in Haute-Savoie. This article traces the company's history and explains what sets ZEDCE apart from a "standard" machining subcontractor.

1946: The birth of a machine manufacturer in the Arve Valley

In 1946, Zwallen and Chretin founded the workshop that would become ZEDCE in the heart of the Arve Valley, the historic cradle of French precision turning. At the time, the company designed and manufactured machining equipment for local turners, with a strong focus on mechanical robustness and cycle repeatability. These origins as a "machine manufacturer" still shape ZEDCE's culture today: a deep understanding of kinematics, cutting forces, and equipment limitations.

An engineering-first culture

From the very beginning, the teams learned to optimize guides, spindles, coolant systems, and tooling to shave seconds off cycle times while ensuring precision. This engineering culture is reflected today in the choice of CNC machines, cutting parameters, and inspection methods applied to client parts.

From machine building to precision part machining

With the rise of the automotive industry and the growing importance of subcontractors, ZEDCE gradually evolved its business model: instead of just supplying machines, the company began producing precision mechanical parts for OEMs itself. The skills accumulated in machine design were then used to define robust, reliable, and repeatable mass-production machining processes.

Expanding the CNC machine park

Over the years, ZEDCE has invested in HAAS and KELLEN CNC lathes capable of handling diameters from approximately 10 to 200 mm and significant lengths. This equipment allows for the combination of turning, drilling, milling, and threading in a single setup, while maintaining typical tolerances of 0.02 mm, or even 0.01 mm for certain critical operations.

A strong history in the automotive sector

The automotive industry gradually became ZEDCE's primary sector, with parts for engines, gearboxes, hydraulics, and injection systems. The demand for high volumes, tight pricing, and zero-defect quality forged the production, inspection, and traceability methods that now serve as the foundation for other sectors.

Today: Machining, grinding, and superfinishing at a single site

ZEDCE now positions itself as an industrial partner capable of managing the complete machining of a part, from roughing to the most demanding surface finishing. The site brings together CNC machining, grinding, superfinishing, and assembly, which eliminates the need for back-and-forth between multiple subcontractors and secures traceability.

A modern, robotic CNC machine park

The facility features HAAS and KELLEN CNC lathes, paired with Staübli robots for loading and unloading parts on certain lines. This automation helps stabilize cycle times, reduce the risk of human error, and ensure production during extended shifts without sacrificing quality. For suitable parts, ZEDCE targets nominal tolerances of 0.05 mm, with tighter windows of 0.02 mm and down to 0.01 mm when geometry and material allow.

Grinding and superfinishing: The ZEDCE difference

In addition to machining, ZEDCE specializes in grinding — surface, cylindrical, and internal—as well as superfinishing processes such as honing, lapping, and vibratory finishing. These operations achieve extremely low surface roughness and tolerances within a few microns on functional areas, for example in hydraulic components, engine assemblies, or medical parts.

Demanding sectors: automotive, aerospace, medical, and hydraulics

Historically, the automotive industry has accounted for a significant portion of ZEDCE’s business, including components for internal combustion engines, gearboxes, and injection systems. However, market shifts—such as electrification and new engine architectures—make it necessary to reduce this dependency and accelerate diversification into the aerospace, medical, and hydraulic sectors.

Aerospace: building expertise and EN 9100 certification

ZEDCE targets engine, landing gear, and hydraulic circuit components made from demanding materials like Inconel or titanium. We are currently pursuing EN 9100 certification, with the goal of establishing a long-term presence in the aerospace market by 2027 by offering enhanced traceability, systematic FAI, and long-term archiving.

Medical: high-value implants and instruments

In the medical field, ZEDCE focuses on machining dental implants, orthopedic screws, and surgical instruments made from titanium or 316L stainless steel, as well as certain PEEK components. We are implementing ISO 13485 certification to ensure the biocompatibility, cleanliness, and traceability requirements specific to medical devices.

Hydraulics and other industrial applications

The company also manufactures hydraulic components (valve bodies, spools, pistons, bushings) where tight tolerances and surface finishes are critical for pressure resistance and leak prevention. Other industrial applications round out our business, including turbocharger parts, transmission elements, and assembled sub-systems.

Industry 4.0 and quality: traceability, certifications, and metrology

To remain competitive in the face of cost pressures and client requirements, ZEDCE invests in Industry 4.0 and quality standards. Our goal is to continuously improve productivity while ensuring long-term part compliance and traceability.

Advanced metrology and systematic inspection

Our quality control relies on coordinate measuring machines (CMM), vision systems, and SPC tools to monitor process drift. Initial production parts undergo a detailed First Article Inspection (FAI), followed by in-process and final inspections scheduled according to client requirements.

Existing and pending certifications

ZEDCE is ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949 certified to meet the requirements of the automotive sector. We are currently pursuing EN 9100 (aerospace) and ISO 13485 (medical) certifications, with a structured roadmap for 2026–2027 to support our sector diversification.

An industrial SME rooted in Haute-Savoie, looking toward 2030

Located in the Arve Valley, ZEDCE benefits from an industrial ecosystem rich in mechanical expertise, subcontractors, and technical partners. However, the company must navigate profound shifts: automotive electrification, increased environmental requirements, and the need to partially reshore certain production processes.

Anticipating the post-combustion engine era

The scenarios studied by management forecast a significant decline in volumes related to internal combustion engines by 2030, with a risk of losing 20% to 70% of certain part families if no action is taken. This highlights the importance of rapidly strengthening positions in the aerospace, medical, and high-value-added hydraulic sectors, where ZEDCE’s expertise in tight tolerances and superfinishing is fully leveraged.

An industrial partner, not just a service provider

By combining machining, grinding, superfinishing, assembly, and treatment management, ZEDCE positions itself as a partner capable of handling the entire manufacturing cycle of a part or sub-assembly. For clients, this means fewer interfaces to manage, consolidated traceability, and better control over overall lead times and costs.
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FAQ – Precision Machining at ZEDCE

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1. What sets ZEDCE apart from a standard machining subcontractor?

ZEDCE stands out due to its origins as a machine manufacturer, its complete mastery of machining, grinding, and superfinishing on a single site, and its ability to produce parts with micron-level tolerances.

2. What types of parts does ZEDCE manufacture?

ZEDCE manufactures high-precision mechanical parts for the automotive, aerospace, medical, and hydraulic sectors, including engine components, medical implants, and critical hydraulic parts.

3. What tolerances can ZEDCE achieve?

ZEDCE typically works with tolerances of 0.05 mm, which can be tightened to 0.02 mm or even 0.01 mm, and can reach a few microns through grinding and superfinishing.

4. Which materials does ZEDCE machine?

ZEDCE machines a wide range of materials, including steel, 316L stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, and technical polymers such as PEEK.

5. What certifications does ZEDCE hold?

ZEDCE is ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949 certified and is currently pursuing EN 9100 (aerospace) and ISO 13485 (medical) certifications.

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