SKYDôME, la "Lumière du Ciel"
In 1957, in the United States of America, F. BARRAT, a French businessman, acquired the patent of Skydôme®, la "Lumière du Ciel". He introduced it in France in 1959 and started the manufacture of products in Pierrefitte in the region of Paris. This new way of natural day lighting for premises with flat roof developed gradually: it was improved with new functions and became a complete equipment which assured at the same time smoke evacuation, ventilation and roof access.
Quickly, the small-scaled production mode did not allow anymore answering the request. In 1961, F. BARRAT had to increase the production surface: he bought the premises of an ancient spinning mill in Sons-et-Ronchères, in Aisne, and transferred there the company. At that time, a dozen persons produced from 150 to 200 skylights per month.
• Originally, Sons et Ronchères buildings housed a spinning and weaving industry.
40 years of advertising
50 years of steady growth
Two decisive factors are going to contribute to the fast development of the firm: first of all, the development of the construction of industrial buildings and especially, from the years 1970, the application of the regulation imposing the installation of smoke evacuation units in public access buildings. Skydôme extended its workshops regularly, ameliorated its manufacturing techniques, and enlarged gradually its ranges by developing new models.
Taken over in 1978 by Gerland Etanchéité, the company became Axter, a subsidiary of Smac Aciéroîd, in 1990. The firm continued its activities by keeping the patronymic Skydôme which constitutes at the same time the trade name of the skylights and the industrial division name in charge for the activity "natural smoke evacuation and day lighting”.
In 2006, the acquisition of AMS Industry, specialist of long skylights and louvred smoke evacuation systems, located in Ouges near Dijon, enables Skydôme® to enlarge and diversify its offer.
A major actor in its speciality
Today, more than 150 persons work for Skydôme®. Around 3500 units are produced each month. Available in more than 40 countries, Skydôme® contributes to the security and comfort of millions of persons worldwide. Whatever their profiles, the Skydôme® partners and customers can rely on the experience and means of a recognized specialist on the market of natural day lighting, ventilation and natural smoke evacuation.
• Sons et Ronchères premises today : 12 000 m² dedicated to skylights production.
