An innovative state of mind

Eugène Freyssinet conceived the idea of prestressing for the first time in 1903. Three years later, a circular described elastic properties of concrete, previously only known for steel. The stage was set for the prestressing adventure to begin. However it was not until 1928 that a patent entitled the "Manufacturing process for reinforced concrete components" was taken out for the prestressing system. The term "prestressing" did not appear until 1932. Freyssinet made a spectacular demonstration of the advantages of prestressing in 1934, when it successfully consolidated the Le Havre shipping terminal.
In 1943, Edme Campenon, Chairman of Entreprises Campenon Bernard, created the STUP (Société Technique pour l'Utilisation de la Précontrainte - Engineering Company for the use of Prestressing), Freyssinet processes, to take over and continue research work initiated by Eugène Freyssinet. The objective was to disseminate prestressing techniques and its applications to clients, to manufacture prestressing equipment and materials, and to provide technical assistance on site. The history of the Freyssinet Group thus includes four main steps.

Promotion of prestressing

During the first period between 1943 and 1955, the emphasis was placed on civil engineering design in order to contact potential customers. At the same time, the company started to develop internationally in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Italy and Scandinavia. Some of its most significant projects were bridges over the Marne, Caracas viaducts in Venezuela, the Lake Pontchartrain bridge in the United States, Europe No. 1's radio transmitter in Felsberg in Germany, etc. The STUP played an instigating and federating role for prestressing techniques in 1949 and 1950, by organizing prestressing Day Conferences with the assistance of the ASP (Association Scientifique de la Précontrainte - Scientific Prestressing Association), created at about the same time. Many engineers from around the world were able to visit remarkable sites during this event. This was the real starting point for prestressing.

Mechanization and internationalization

In the second period between 1954 and 1970, the monopoly on prestressing gradually disappeared and the competition became organized. The STUP then applied a research and development policy, working on continuously more ambitious projects, requiring greater technical and human resources. In order to face these new challenges, site equipment became fully mechanized by the end of the 1950s and the first electrical tensioning jacks appeared in 1957. A new era started, the era of project design and construction. The STUP wanted to develop the subcontracting activity in the construction industry. The intensifying activity made national organization necessary, and agencies were opened in Marseilles, Lille, Nantes, Strasbourg, Lyon, Toulouse and Rambouillet. The major construction projects during this period included displacement of the Abu Simbel temple in Egypt, construction of the Gladesville bridge in Australia, Oléron bridge in France, and the Wylfa and Oldburry nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom.

Diversification and major sites

In the third period between 1970 and 1980, the STUP started diversifying its activity, particularly in the repair of structures. The period was also characterized by very large and prestigious sites such as the Ekofisk oil platform in the North Sea, the Brotonne cable stayed bridge in France, the beginning of the French nuclear power program with the construction of about thirty 900 MW power stations, and the Montreal Olympic stadium in Canada. This sustained international activity resulted in the creation of a specialized department, while the group consolidated its presence on all five continents.
In 1976, STUP became Freyssinet International (STUP), marking its international vocation and offering homage to the man whose work it was continuing.
In the fourth period between 1980 and 1999, the emphasis was placed on accelerated technical development and innovation. Thus over the years, Freyssinet has become an essential player in many civil engineering fields with high technological content (stay cables, prestressing, heavy lifting, etc.) and is involved in projects well known throughout the world such as the Normandy bridge in France, the Vasco de Gama bridge in Portugal, Cardiff stadium in the United Kingdom, the Hibernia oil platform offshore from Newfoundland, Ting Kau bridge in Hong Kong, etc.

A controlled development and an external growth

At the end of the 90’s, Freyssinet strengthened its activities through the purchases of specialized companies: Terre Armée Internationale company (the world leader in mechanically stabilized earth structures) at the end of 1998, and Menard company, specialized in soil improvement in September 1999. This last purchase, which follows the successful integration of Reinforced Earth, widens the Group’s product range in the soil field, which now represents more than the third of its total activity.
In 2000, the Group integrates the STTP and MTS companies in France, starts-up a structures related business in the United States, illustrated by the supply of the stay cables for the « Léonard P. Zakim » bridge in Boston, and strengths its presence in Africa, due to its subsidiaries in South Africa and Egypt, notably with the participation in the construction of the Aswan bridge.
From 2001, the Group continues to increase its proximity to customers and accelerate the process of decentralizing its organization. Implemented by locally-based teams, our global expertise brought a number of major projects to a successful conclusion, including the prestressing of the Sart canal bridge in Belgium, the rotation of the Cernavoda bridge in Romania, the rehabilitation of the Oraison canal in France, participation in the construction of viaducts for the East Rail project in HongKong, soil improvement works for a supermarket in Alexandria, Egypt and the construction of Reinforced Earth® abutments for the viaducts supporting the extension of the Portland light rail system in the USA. site map
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