Industrial manufacturing facilities demand a very specific combination of qualities from their technical flooring systems. Resistance to intensive use, dimensional stability under variable operating conditions, ease of maintenance without disrupting production, and a surface finish that meets both functional and hygiene requirements — these are criteria that must be addressed from the design stage, not resolved on site.

In 2024, SOCLA — a leading manufacturer of industrial valves and hydraulic control systems, part of the Watts Water Technologies group and based in Virey-le-Grand, Saône-et-Loire, France — incorporated Polygroup raised access floor technology into its manufacturing facility. For this project, 1,000 m² of GAMAFLOR PAC 35/05 panels with linoleum finish were installed, providing a technical flooring solution adapted to the real operating demands of an industrial production environment.

SOCLA: industrial valve manufacturing at European scale

SOCLA is a specialist in the design and manufacture of industrial valve and flow control solutions — including butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, disconnectors, water meters and electrovalves — for hydraulic and fluid management infrastructure across multiple sectors. With more than 360 employees and a turnover exceeding 51 million euros, SOCLA’s facility in Virey-le-Grand is a major industrial production site in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

In a facility of this scale and operational intensity, the technical flooring system must support the demands of continuous manufacturing activity — heavy equipment, rolling loads and regular maintenance interventions — while maintaining a safe, hygienic and efficient working environment.

Why GAMAFLOR PAC 35/05 for this project

The GAMAFLOR PAC 35/05 system was selected for its combination of structural performance, installation efficiency and long-term adaptability — the right balance for a large-scale industrial environment in active operation.

Key technical characteristics that drove the specification:

• High-density chipboard core with galvanised steel bottom sheet — providing reliable load distribution and dimensional stability across 1,000 m² of continuous industrial use.
• Distributed load capacity of 33.33 KN/m² — well suited to the static and dynamic loads generated by industrial equipment, machinery and wheeled transport within the facility.
• Adjustable pedestal and stringer structure — enabling precise levelling across large surface areas with any floor irregularities, without requiring prior preparation work.
• Independent removable panels — allowing rapid access to underfloor electrical, data and HVAC installations without stopping production or requiring structural intervention.
• LEED certification compatibility — the PAC system incorporates recycled component materials, supporting sustainability commitments in industrial construction.

Linoleum finish: the right choice for industrial environments

The PAC 35/05 panels were supplied with linoleum finish — one of the most technically appropriate surface finishes for industrial and manufacturing environments, and one that is frequently underspecified in favour of more familiar alternatives.

Linoleum delivers a combination of properties that make it particularly well suited to SOCLA’s production environment:

• Exceptional abrasion resistance — manufactured from natural raw materials including linseed oil, wood flour and resins, linoleum withstands intensive foot traffic and wheeled equipment without degrading.
• Natural antibacterial properties — the linseed oil composition gives linoleum inherent antibacterial characteristics, making it highly suitable for environments where hygiene and ease of cleaning are operational requirements.
• Dimensional stability — factory-applied directly onto the GAMAFLOR PAC panel, the linoleum finish ensures a flat, homogeneous surface across the full installation area, without deformation or delamination over time.
• Walking comfort and fatigue reduction — in facilities where staff are on their feet for extended periods, linoleum’s natural cushioning properties significantly reduce muscular fatigue — a factor that directly impacts productivity and wellbeing.
• Long lifecycle and low environmental footprint — a properly maintained linoleum finish can last several decades, with a significantly lower environmental impact than synthetic alternatives.

1,000 m² built for continuous industrial use

The SOCLA project at Virey-le-Grand is a strong example of how a well-specified raised access floor system — combining the right structural performance with the right surface finish — can deliver a lasting technical flooring solution for demanding industrial environments.

At Polygroup, we work with architects, project managers and industrial contractors across France and Europe to define the most suitable raised access floor solution for each project — from the initial technical consultation through to supply.

Working on an industrial or manufacturing facility project? Our technical team is available to support your specification. Contact us.