Patrick Donzé, Production Manager at Maison Charlois, as told by Stéphane Ebel

THE MAN OF MURLIN!

If anyone knows the Charlois House, it’s him. Patrick Donzé, 57 years old, is the production manager at the Murlin site. His mission is to oversee the smooth execution of the successive operations involved in transforming logs into staves.

The phone always within reach. He had to get used to it. The man is rather discreet and modest. When he was offered the position of production manager in 2012, one of his first thoughts was, “Why me?” Perhaps because Patrick knows the company better than anyone, having worked at the site in various roles: sawyer, splitter, sorter, handler, forklift operator, and then sharpener, “the key position,” as Patrick puts it. “Without a properly sharpened saw blade, the entire production chain is affected. The sawyer sets the pace. It’s a responsibility that can create a certain level of stress.”

The stave mill is like his second home. “I lived in Murlin from the age of 12 to 18. With my parents, we lived in the presbytery. From my window, I could see the guys working in the stave mill. At the time, there were only three of them. I would sometimes go have lunch with them on Wednesday mornings, I remember it like it was yesterday.”
Although surrounded by the scent of logs, Patrick initially pursued stone cutting. He apprenticed with Serge Fontaneto in the hills of Murlin. After earning his vocational diploma (CAP), he joined the army with the promise of a professional future in the Lyon region. But fate had other plans. The accidental death of his boss left Patrick unemployed. He took a job as a delivery driver for bakeries in the villages and hamlets around Murlin, working seven days a week. Then came an experience in Paris that left him with bad memories.
The local guy, raised in the heart of the Bertranges, knocked on the door of the Charlois company through a connection. “Tell him to come on Monday!” Denis Charlois had said. It was 1990, 30 years ago.

In addition to knowing the company, he knows the family—it’s as if he’s part of it. Denis, the father, Lionel, Xavier, Romain, and of course Sylvain, the sons. The values and principles of the company are ingrained in him, and he is committed to conveying and passing them on. From the stave mill to the “GreCon” (an automatic saw with optical reading used to resize the staves by removing defects detected with fluorescent chalk by the sorters. These staves, too short to make hoops, will be used to make barrel bottoms), Patrick commands respect.
In his office, located in the sharpening workshop (it doesn’t get more fitting than that), there is no computer. He assesses, manages, and anticipates. As the production manager, he ensures all positions are filled and that no one is missing. “It’s true that the job is physical. You have to be courageous, work cleanly, and take care of the machines…” and the men and women he’s mostly recruited and trained. And if help is needed, he gladly and sincerely gives it—neither reluctant nor forced. “I enjoy it,” he says.
Once the guys are gone, he takes another tour of the premises, moves the staves onto the wood yard, and tidies up here and there! “The site must be clean; it’s the image of the company! ».

3 questions for Patrick :

 – After 30 years in the company, what is your perspective?

The company has evolved significantly. That’s undeniable. At Murlin, we are more than 80 people, whereas 30 years ago, there were barely a dozen of us. But the values have remained the same. There’s a “family” spirit, everyone knows each other.

– And what about your journey?

I would say I’ve been lucky. I love my job, I love doing things well. Over 30 years, I’ve almost held every position in production. But if someone had told me when I first joined Charlois that I would end up as a manager… It shows that the company trusts its employees. And that’s motivating for everyone.

– You’re now the production manager, what exactly is your role

It’s a broad role. I manage the staff in collaboration with HR, which is a big part of my job. I start my day by greeting everyone and making sure everyone is at their post. If not, I need to ensure things keep running smoothly. The teams are structured to handle potential absences. Then there’s a lot to do: checking the machines, organizing, recruiting, training, overseeing hygiene and safety, improving workstations when necessary… and, of course, being attentive!

Photos : Christophe Deschanel