CBS-Lifteam is an international French-Swiss group, founded in 1991, specializing in timber engineering.
History
CBS-Lifteam is a group specializing in timber building. It was founded in Lausanne in 1991 by engineer Jean-Luc Sandoz. The group is a pioneer in the use of all-construction methods in the bio-sourced sector.[1] Its slogan is "More engineering, less material".[2][3]
The group has founded two design offices, Concept Bois Structure (CBS) in Paris and Concept Bois Technologie (CBT) in Lausanne, a wood prefabrication plant, Ecotim, created in 2005 in Savoie, and a construction supervision company, Lifteam, created in 2006.[4][5]
Business structure
Technology department
CBT is the continuation of a start-up company at the l'École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) [6][7][8] aimed at transferring the research work carried out at the school by Jean-Luc Sandoz under the guidance of Julius Natterer, who was then head of the school's wood chair, into the practical field. The company developed two devices in particular: the Sylvatest which measures the physical strength of wood using ultrasound and Polux,[9] which assesses the reliability of wooden poles in service using hydro-densitometric measurement.[8][10] These methodologies are expanding internationally.[11][12]
Structures department
The group designs numerous structural concepts such as frameworks and floors like Dalle O'Portune and D-Dalle.[13][14][15]
The timber design office of excellence is an entity specializing in the design and optimization of wood construction projects. It stands out for its ability to meet the highest demands in terms of performance, durability and aesthetics, and is thus recognized for its contribution to the realization of ambitious projects in the field of timber construction.[16][17]
Ecotim
Production
The Ecotim plant, implemented in La Rochette is the production facility, with a surface area of 4,900 m2.[18][19] The current building replaces a 2200 m2 facility built in 2005 and destroyed by fire in 2010.[20]
The Group also has a presence in French Guiana, where it has been constructing buildings in local tropical materials, such as for CNES,[21] since 2015.[18][22]
In 2023, the company will be present at the International Timber Construction Forum with all the players in Guyana's wood industry.[23][24]
CBS-Lifteam is a pioneer in the field of ecological construction, distinguished by its use of biosourced and geosourced materials. It is renowned for its innovation and exemplary nature in these areas of activity.[25]
Financial data and employees
Company sales were €13 million in 2018.[6] Increased by 40% in 2019.[15]
The company had 120 employees in 2019[26] and at the end of 2022.[27]
Environmental and humanitarian commitment
In 2007, the company took part in l'UNECE.[28] In 2021, CBS-Lifteam worked with an NGO to set up training courses for the migrants in Mexico.[29]
Awards
The company is a prize-winner for innovative projects and ecological achievements.[30][31] Green solution awards will be presented in 2023.[32]
