For the first time in its history, Rouby Industrie has tackled a lock construction project equipped with “segment gates.” We head to Armentières, on the Lys River, on the French-Belgian border, for a unique technical project that has been successfully completed. We look back on this complex operation, which is emblematic of the expertise and responsiveness of the teams, by interviewing the site manager in charge of the project.

Why was this project in Armentières so special?

We replaced two gates on a lock, one upstream and one downstream, but these were not exactly standard gates. They are “segment gates,” which can be completely retracted. To our knowledge, few locks use this technique. We discovered their existence at the Denain lock in 2020, but they had been scrapped. The only one still in operation is the one at the Don lock, which was refurbished about two years ago. It was a real technical discovery for us.

What were the main features of the project?

The contract was signed in 2021 and put on hold for budgetary reasons. It really got underway in March/April 2024 with the study. Manufacturing began in December and was completed at the end of March 2025. The gates are monumental, measuring 5.3 meters by 7 meters and weighing 11 tons each. Rouby Industrie was the project manager, with lots covering electricity, civil engineering, gate mechanisms, and jacks.

What were the main technical difficulties?

First, the removal of asbestos from the old structures. Then there was the sealing system, the joints, the operation of the valves… all aspects that we had never encountered before on a lock. The project kept our design office and workshop very busy. We had to aim for a flawless installation. Indeed, it worked: after installation and filling with water, there wasn’t even a single leak!

How did the coordination on site go?

There was a daily site meeting between March 18 and April 28 with the other electrical and civil engineering companies. As navigation was halted during this period, or “unemployment” as the VNF calls it, we had to be as efficient as possible. For our part, the least we were was “unemployed” since we even worked weekends to meet the deadlines!

Was transporting the parts a problem?

No, nothing out of the ordinary for us to report. We had planned ahead with standard special transport. The main challenge was preparing and coordinating the teams.

Any memorable moments from this project?

A rather unlikely anecdote: at one point, someone decided to have some fun by shooting at the construction crew with some kind of airsoft gun. We had to stop work for half a day while the police investigated. The investigation is still ongoing…

How does it embody Rouby Industrie’s DNA?

This is a typical project where quality of execution, responsiveness, and customer relations made all the difference. Faced with a supplier of cylinders that was behind schedule, we found an alternative solution to avoid penalties. Thanks to this agility, the project was delivered on time, with valves that were operational… and perfectly sized!