The Fortineau Farmer's Journey with HATO Lighting Solutions

Since 2015, the Fortineau farmer—part of the renowned Michel Group—has been a loyal and satisfied user of HATO lighting solutions.

Located in France's Grand Ouest region, this poultry producer exemplifies how advanced technology, strong partnerships, and dedication to animal welfare can drive success in modern livestock farming.

The Michel Group: A Legacy in Livestock

Founded in 1947, the Michel Group is a cornerstone of the Breton animal production sector. With over 3,500 livestock farmer customers and 850,000 tonnes of feed manufactured annually (representing 5% of the national market), the group is a recognized leader.

It sells more than 25 million animals each year and remains a vital partner of the SIAC—a further testament to its influence and commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture.

Progressive Farm Setup

The Fortineau farm houses three turkey buildings, each home to 5,500 males and 5,500 females. The farm is equipped with a combination of SKOV technologies, photovoltaic panels for sustainable energy, and specially designed winter gardens. These installations contribute to faster growth rates and reduced suffocation, creating a healthier environment for the birds.

Lighting: A Game-Changer in Poultry Performance

Before adopting HATO lighting solutions, the farmer used traditional LED strips. However, these old systems posed challenges—particularly poor lighting performance at lower intensities (0–5%), which negatively affected flock development.

In 2015, the farmer transitioned to HATO's PULSA solution, immediately seeing improvements. The switch resulted in:

• Homogeneous batches
• Better overall growth
• Strong performance metrics across the board

With a 120-day growth cycle per flock, lighting consistency is key. The farm runs lighting at full intensity (100%) for the first four days, followed by a long-term maintenance level of 40%. HATO's precise lighting capabilities have proven invaluable in optimizing this routine.

A Valuable Partnership with SIAC

The Fortineau farm, through its association with the Michel Group and SIAC, has shown strong commercial results. The numbers speak not only to operational success but also to a relationship built on trust, shared vision, and results.

The farmer especially appreciates the service quality, responsiveness, and consistent availability—highlighting a clear desire to grow together in the long term.

Expanding Collaboration

Previously reliant on CBM for nightlights, the Fortineau farmer is now shifting entirely to HATO for all lighting needs. This decision reflects confidence in both our products and our partnership.

Continuous Improvement & Support

As with any innovative solution, minor challenges have emerged, notably:

• The BUBO HO clip
• HATO PACK smart e-fuse, where lamps occasionally fail to relight automatically after power resets

In response, we’ve implemented targeted support actions:

• HATO App and HATO One training
• Clear pricing provided in Excel
• Product samples sent for recent purchases

These proactive steps reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every customer feels supported and equipped to succeed.

Looking Ahead  

The Fortineau farmer's journey with HATO is a model of progress through partnership. From advanced lighting and sustainable infrastructure to responsive service and technical training, this collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets agriculture. Together, we’re not just growing flocks—we’re growing a better future for animal production.