(R)EVOLUTION - Germain Celette

Germain Celette – The engineering of chassis straightening

In body shops, certain tools have marked a real turning point in the way vehicles are repaired and their life extended. The universal straightening bench, invented in 1954 by French engineer Germain Celette, is one of these major innovations that have revolutionised the daily lives of automotive professionals.

Until then, when a chassis was seriously damaged in an accident, repairs were approximate, complex and sometimes impossible without replacing the entire structure. Celette then came up with a novel device: a universal straightening bench that could be adapted to all types of vehicles. Thanks to this ingenious system, body repairers could secure the vehicle to a sturdy platform, accurately measure the deformations and realign the structures using hydraulic jacks. This precise and reproducible process made it possible to restore a chassis to its original integrity without having to replace it entirely.

The success was immediate. The Celette bench quickly became a benchmark in repair shops, first in France and then internationally. Its robustness, precision and modularity make it an essential tool for professionals concerned with ensuring the safety and reliability of vehicles returned to circulation.

Celette’s story did not end with this first invention. True to its innovative spirit, the company continued to improve its equipment over the decades. In 1987, Germain Celette filed a new patent for an even more efficient straightening bench, reinforcing the brand’s global reputation. These tools became more robust, ergonomic and adaptable, responding to the constant evolution of automotive structures.

Over time, Celette systems also incorporated electronic measurement and control technologies, enabling the condition of a chassis to be assessed with millimetre precision and the conformity of repairs to be verified. These improvements confirmed their central role in modern workshops, whether restoring a recent city car, a high-end saloon or even an electric vehicle with new architectures.

Today, more than seventy years after the invention of the first universal straightening bench, the name Celette remains synonymous with excellence in the field of chassis straightening. The legacy of a pioneer in the automotive aftermarket, this equipment embodies the technical rigour, durability and spirit of innovation that continue to drive the repair industry.