Christophe Casanova is head of Euromat, a construction machinery rental company that is well established in Corsica and expanding rapidly in the south of France. He tells us about the recent operation on the Alesani dam, and the opportunities for the Corsican market.
Euromat, in full expansion
Founded in 2012 in Corte by Christophe Casanova, Euromat is a company specialised in the hire construction equipment. It has expanded significantly over the years. Initially based in Corsica, the company opened six branches there, in Corte, Bastia, Calvi, Ghisonaccia, Porto-Vecchio and Ajaccio respectively. Later, Euromat also expanded into the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, with a branch in Marseille, consolidating its presence and influence in these territories.
« We plan to open a second branch in Marseille by the end of the year, and five more in the south of France by the end of 2025, » says Christophe Casanova, confirming his dynamic development.
Euromat’s fleet comprises between 500 and 600 machines, supported by a fleet of 250 vehicles. « We strive to offer a wide range of solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers in the construction and public works sector, » says Christophe Casanova.
Operation on the Alesani dam
Euromat was recently asked to hire the equipment needed to maintain the Alesani dam in Haute-Corse, in the commune of Chiatra. Built in 1970 across the Alesani river, the dam is 155 metres long and 65 metres high, and holds back 11,300 thousand m³ of water over a surface area of 49 hectares.
The job involved work under a bridge, requiring the craning of a Haulotte Star 10 aerial work platform. The right decision was crucial to the success of this delicate operation: « The Star 10 proved to be the ideal choice mainly because of its light weight, which is essential for craning on a specific access » explains Christophe Casanova. « In addition, its appearance and working capacity at a height of up to 10 metres were decisive assets for this project. Once installed under the bridge, and for a week, the MEWP enabled the operators to carry out safety checks on the structure, maintenance work and crack repairs. We had to work at a height of 7 to 8 metres and move 20 metres sideways under the bridge.
One of the main challenges of this operation was to ensure that the machine could be craned safely under the bridge. Transport logistics and the precise positioning of the MEWP were crucial: « for this kind of delicate operation, it’s imperative to find the right machine that meets all the conditions for reaching places that are difficult to access », insists Christophe Casanova.
More generally, he explains that « Haulotte aerial work platforms are highly appreciated for their flexibility and intuitiveness. They are easy to use and offer many options that make them more enjoyable to use, such as the multiple lighting options. »
The Haulotte Star 10 aerial work platform is particularly well-suited to specific applications in the field, thanks to its ability to reach into tight, hard-to-reach spaces. With a working height of up to 10 metres and a horizontal reach of 3 metres, it is ideal for both indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks, particularly in warehouses or industrial sites. Its compact design and manoeuvrability make it easy to navigate in congested areas. The Star 10 is therefore an indispensable tool for precision work at height, where accessibility and infrastructure protection are crucial.
Developments in the Corsican market and future prospects
The rental market in Corsica is complex , as Christophe Casanova explained to us two years ago on our blog. Since then, it has been particularly difficult in the construction sector, which has been affected by the national property crisis. However, Euromat stands out for its broad diversification: « This strategy enables us to offset the difficulties encountered in some sectors with positive performances in others. We expect 2024 to be a good year. On the other hand, in the south of France, competition is more intense, with a higher volume of business and demand for new and recent equipment, » explains Christophe Casanova in a comparison of the two regions where Euromat operates.
Christophe Casanova is putting more emphasis on electric and hybrid machines, although demand is not yet very strong. The new Haulotte products are more competitive and efficient, despite certain challenges linked to their longevity in the field. « We remain optimistic about future innovations and the continuous improvement of machines and their technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers, » reassures Christophe Casanova, regarding the future adoption of electric and hybrid machines.
As a dynamic, adaptable company, Euromat is ready to meet the challenges of the construction and public works sector with innovative solutions, growing territorial expansion and expertise demonstrated by projects such as the craning of the Star 10 on the Alesani dam.
