Safran to upgrade forging capabilities at its Gennevilliers site

Safran Aircraft Engines is investing 150 million euros to upgrade the forging capabilities at its Gennevilliers site (Paris) with the acquisition of a 30,000-tonne hydraulic press to manufacture parts for commercial and military aircraft engines. This project, which will create 130 jobs from 2026 and will be operational by 2029, will support the expansion of the facility’s activities, with production set to almost double by 2035 across all engine families.

The new facility will support the ramp-up of the CFM International LEAP engine (CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace), which powers most next-generation narrowbody airliners such as the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft — as well as military engines (for the Rafale, Mirage and A400M) and high-thrust GE Aerospace engines in which Safran Aircraft Engines is a partner (such as the GE90 for the Boeing 777).

At full production rate, the new press will produce 14,000 parts per year; it will also enable the manufacture of large parts for future civil aircraft engine programmes requiring a high-tonnage press. This facility will incorporate advanced technologies such as sensors and connected systems to ensure precise monitoring of the entire process, while also reducing the forge’s noise footprint.

Meanwhile, Safran Helicopter Engines has opened a new facility in Norderstedt (Schleswig-Holstein), near Hamburg. This 3,000m² industrial site, which is dedicated to providing support, maintenance and repair services for helicopter engines, will enable the company to ‘support the growth of the helicopter market in Europe’.

The company has been established in Germany for 35 years and provides in-service support to 300 helicopter operators in Northern, Eastern and Central Europe, covering a fleet of 2,300 engines. This new site, which is 50% larger than the previous one, is targeting carbon neutrality in its operations through multiple initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, a green roof to absorb CO₂, and energy-efficient systems such as heat pumps and ventilation with heat recovery.