History

Creation of the company in 1926

At the beginning of 1900’s, the city of Lyon was famous for its mechanical industry.
This moment, SLIM (Société Lyonnaise d’Industrie Mécanqiue) started its activity by the manufacture of car engines and complete cars.
In 1926, one of shareholders decided to create his own company. He reversed the name that became MIL’S (Manufacture Industrielle Lyonnaise de Surpresseurs) and attracted his former collaborators in this industrial adventure.

Firstly air compressors for industry

With the experience acquired in the conception of combustion engines, Adolphe THEVENIN designed the first piston compressors for compressed air, which could also be used as a vacuum pump. The first applications of compressed air and vacuum were industrial ones.

The development of a vacuum medical range

From 1970, MIL’S became interested in the medical market and developed a specific range of vacuum systems and breathable air. The 4th generation of the family is currently involved in the company’s management which has since grown to an international level from 2000’s.

New premises dedicated to production

In 2014, the company expands its production site in Genas. So, its composed by two plants to a global area of 12 500 m2 ; one for machining and assembly of vacuum pumps, another dedicated to assembling industrial and medical systems.
In addition to the machining shop and assembly lines of vacuum pumps, these new premises also allow to host test rooms as well as a design office dedicated to the design of pumps.
This new factory allows to MIL’S to increase its production capacity in response to the progressive evolution of requests.

Integration of boiler making

In 2016, the machining and vacuum pumps pole integrated an industrial boiler.
With this new know-how, MIL’S will be able to gain flexibility and improve its manufacturing times for vacuum systems and medical packages which allows, a complete mastery of the production process.