At INFACO, every innovation is designed for the field. Players in the Champagne industry, including Mumm and Perrier-Jouët - part of the Pernod Ricard group - expressed a clear need: to reduce pruning-related accidents without impacting on the pace, comfort or ergonomics of the pruning shears, which are decisive factors for professionals who cut several hours a day for months on end. The F3020 pruning shears, with their Contactless reinforced protection option, have been designed with and for users.
The Mumm and Perrier-Jouët vineyards cover more than 260 hectares in Champagne. Most of these Grand Cru vineyards are located in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims areas, and are farmed exclusively by 90 permanent employees, backed up by hundreds of seasonal workers at harvest time.
In this context, where work in the vineyards follows the rhythm of the seasons, the safety of our employees is essential. Particularly during the winter, when pruning is carried out, the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA) is well aware of the risk of cuts and pinched fingers. According to the statistics, they are the cause of a large proportion of work stoppages during this period.
" Accidents often happen at the beginning of the season, when you're getting your bearings, or at the end, when you're tired and in a hurry to finish," explains Florence, an employee at VMPJ. " I myself have experienced a pinched hand. Even without a serious injury, it leaves its mark, and you can't prune with the same serenity ".
A few months after the launch of the F3020 professional electric pruning shears, INFACO is presenting a new compatible option: Contactless, which is based on wireless, contactless detection technology. This reinforced safety device works by anticipating danger and causes the blade to reopen when the opposite hand comes too dangerously close to the cutting head.
This project did not originate in a laboratory: it was developed over many years with professionals in the field, in close collaboration with a number of customers, including champagne growers... and also with the MSA, which took part in the testing phase of the device - a fine example of innovation in the wine industry co-constructed to strengthen accident prevention in agriculture.
Florence is one of the testers at Mumm: " I tested the F3020 with Contactless during the 2023-2024 pruning season. It took me 15 days to 3 weeks to get my rhythm back, but after that adaptation phase, I found my rhythm again. And as a left-hander, I really appreciated that it's ambidextrous - that's not the case everywhere. "
INFACO has used every piece of feedback to improve the system: sensitivity, comfort, adaptability to practices in real conditions, etc. Each update has been thought out in conjunction with the teams in the field, as well as with safety advisors and those involved in wine prevention.
In view of the convincing results, Mumm Perrier-Jouët has decided to equip all its employees - both permanent and seasonal - with F3020 Contactless pruning shears for the 2024-2025 campaign. Each tool is adjusted individually, either directly on the pruning shears or via a dedicated mobile app, according to the professional's preferences.
For Florence, this is not a revolution in the way pruning is done, but a real evolution in the way people protect themselves. During the 2024-2025 season, she is more relaxed and was able to finish her season without incident or tendonitis.
For both INFACO and the Mumm Perrier-Jouët vineyards, this collaboration proves that it is possible to bring about changes in winegrowing practices, in line with the challenges of occupational health, risk prevention and quality of life for pruners.
Watch an exclusive interview with Florence on our Youtube channel, with Réussir, to find out how she got to grips with the tool.
There are three bubble sizes with the Contactless system. Adjustments can be made via a dedicated mobile app or directly on the pruning shear. This allows the tool to be customized for each user, according to their experience, handedness, and habits.
The F3020 works equally well for both right-handed and left-handed users: it is ambidextrous. Its centered counter-blade ensures identical comfort and ergonomics for both.
The Contactless system provides effective accident prevention in agriculture without requiring a conductive glove or a cable. It offers active protection against accidental cuts while maintaining pruning speed. Thanks to this viticulture innovation, farmers gain comfort and peace of mind.