After eight years working on the MND production floor, Mathieu Boisson is now a finalist in the French National Welding Championship, a human and committed path, 100% Made in MND.

A Nickname That Says It All

At MND’s welding shop in Sainte-Hélène-du-Lac, everyone calls him “champion.”
A light-hearted nickname that began in his early days — when learning to weld meant a mix of mistakes… and rapid progress.
Years later, the nickname still sticks — but for entirely different reasons. Mathieu has become a well-respected figure on the shop floor, known for his passion, precision, and constant drive to improve.

An Unconventional Path, Forged Through Learning

A welder at MND since 2017, Mathieu didn’t come from an industrial background.
Originally from Normandy, he moved to the mountains after a professional career shift.
Despite earning his qualifications, he faced a common challenge: without hands-on experience, it’s hard to break through.

At MND, he found a true learning environment — directly on the shop floor.

I’m the result of my colleagues in the welding shop. Each of them passed on a bit of their knowledge to me.

A self-taught learner, Mathieu supplemented his on-the-job experience with personal research, online tutorials — and above all, a lot of practice.
This commitment led him, in 2024, to set himself a new challenge: competing in the French National Welding Championship, organized by the AFPS.

A Personal Initiative, with a Collective Spirit

It all started with a YouTube video. Intrigued by the idea, Mathieu signed up almost on a whim.
The process began with a theory test, followed by a regional selection round, where he faced competitors from the nuclear sector, large industrial groups, and in-house training schools.

Among these industry heavyweights, Mathieu was the only participant representing the mountain sector.

With a DIY preparation plan, a few days off to practice, and support from his colleagues, he earned his place in the national finals in Poitiers.
He finished in the top 10 nationwide — an impressive result for an entirely self-driven effort, without structured training.

Shining a Light on Workshop Know-How

For Mathieu, the experience went far beyond the competition.
It was an opportunity to highlight a skilled and passionate profession, often overlooked in the day-to-day of an industrial company.

We’ve got real expertise in the workshop, and it’s always rewarding to show it in a different light.

Over time, he developed a strong belief: the better we understand each other’s work, the better we collaborate.
He envisions simple ways to foster connection — letting design teams try welding, inviting buyers and methods teams into the workshop for a hands-on exchange.

When you understand what someone else does, it’s easier to work together.

This approach, rooted in openness and dialogue, is for him a key to smoother collaboration, higher quality, and greater efficiency.

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🚀 What’s Next?

Mathieu has no intention of stopping here. He’s already planning to enter the 2027 edition of the competition.
But this time, he wants to bring others along — create a “Team MND” welding crew, set up internal training sessions, and pass on what he’s learned.

I started out with very little. I’ve learned a lot. And I truly believe we could go even further as a team.