Safran Aero Boosters, Technology Partner

The company holds world leadership positions in its 4 areas of excellence :

Béa Uhart / CAPA Pictures / Safran

BOOSTERS

Low-pressure compressors and front bearing supports

• Responsibility of low-pressure compressors for CF34, CFM56, GE90, GE9X, GEnx, GE Passport, GP7200, LEAP and Silvercrest engines
• Technology for developing more environmentally-friendly engines: light-weight booster (Blum and composites) and high-speed booster
• Partnerships with Safran Aircraft Engines, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney

Béa Uhart / Capa Pictures / Safran

OIL SYSTEMS

Lubrication units, oil tanks, heat exchangers, special valves

• Responsibility of lubrication equipment for CF34, CFM56, GE90, GE Passport, LEAP, PW1000G (for MRJ, C-Series, E-jet), Silvercrest, TP400, SaM146 and helicopter engines
• A shift towards «more electric» aircraft and thermal management Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul for over 50 customers

Thierry Dosogne / Safran

TEST CELLS

Turnkey test cells, testing equipment, data acquisition and control systems

• Responsibility of military and civil test cells from A to Z, modernization and adaptation of test cells for all types of engine (turbofan engines, turbojets, turboshaft and engine components)
• Shift towards smart cowlings and more environmentally-friendly test cells (studies to find solutions that cut fuel consumption and recover energy)
• 50 customers : engine manufacturers, maintenance centers and armed forces

Béa Uhart / Capa Pictures / Safran

SPACE VALVES

Flow control valves for launcher engines and tanks

• Responsibility of flow regulation valves for the Vulcain 2® and Vinci® engines and stages
• Shift towards electrically actuated valves and boast enhanced features
• Partner to Ariane Group for Ariane 5 & 6

Safran Aero Boosters is a Safran subsidiary (F-67% of share capital) whose other shareholders are the Région Wallonne de Belgique (B-31%) and the Société Fédérale d'Investissement et de Participation (B-2%).

The Board of Directors

Safran Aero Boosters's business is overseen by a board of directors representing the shareholders. Together, they determine the company's general policy, main direction and strategy.

The members of the Board of Directors:

• Jean-Jacques Orsini (Safran), Chairman
• François Lepot (Safran Aero Boosters), President and Chief Executive Officer
• Olivier Andriès (Safran), Director
• François Harant (Safran), Director
• Hélène Moreau-Leroy (Safran), Director
• Philippe Lallemand, Director
• Olivier Vanderijst (Wespavia), Observer
• Société Fédérale de Participations et d'Investissements, Observer (represented by Denis Ronday)

Secretary of the Board : Diego de Viaris (Safran Aero Boosters)

The Executive Committee :

• François Lepot, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Diego de Viaris, Finance & Budget Director
• Jean-François Cortequisse, Strategy, Commerce & Programs Director
• Joël Keser, Technology Director
• Loïc Jacquemin, Operations Director
• Vincent Duprez, Innovation & Information System Director
• Jean-Christophe Dalla Toffola, Test Facilities Director
• Loïc Jacquemin, Quality Director
• Emile Beauduin, Purchasing Director
• Xavier Naveau, Human Resources Director
• Joëlle Wathelet, Communication Director

François Lepot has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aero Boosters with effect from February 2019, as Yves Prete leaves for retirement.

François Lepot began his career in 1992 at steel makers Cockerill-Sambre as manufacturing process engineer.

He went on to join Techspace Aero in 1993 as an engineer in the Research Department. In 1995 he took up the role of Project Manager on the development of the CFM56-7 and then is on secondment to General Electric and Snecma. In 1998, he became Technical Brand Manager for the General Electric and Pratt & Whitney engine programs. In 2000, he took on responsibility for a production unit. In 2006, he became Senior Vice President, Operations in charge of production, supply chain and investments.

François Lepot, 49, graduated from the University of Liège in 1992 with a degree in civil electromechanical engineering, specializing in aerospace engineering.

Emiliano de Marco / Safran

Headquartered in Belgium with two subsidiaries in the United States

Located near Liège in Belgium, Safran Aero Boosters brings together all the services and facilities required to provide integrated and innovative solutions for its clients all over the world on one site. The company has 4 engine test facilities within 3 kilometers of its headquarters.

Safran Aero Boosters also has two subsidiaries in the United States: Safran Test Cells in Minnesota (test facilities) and Safran Oil Systems in Florida (oil tanks)

Socially responsible corporate citizenship.

As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Safran Aero Boosters undertakes to comply with a number of commitments to its neighbors, local authorities and customers and in relation to its staff.

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An offshoot of the Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, Safran Aero Boosters began to acquire expertise in aerospace propulsion in 1949, manufacturing Rolls Royce and General Electric engines under license.

The company achieved international acclaim for its F100 Pratt & Whitney engine fitted in F15 and F16 fighters. It manufactured most of the components and was responsible for assembly and testing of over 600 engines of this type.

The 1980s marked a turning point for the future development of Safran Aero Boosters as it took part in major commercial aviation programs. The company's initial experiments in the aviation industry also led to its inclusion from the very outset in the first European space programs. The company gradually extended its R&D to offer clients end-to-end solutions from design to product manufacture.

Since the year 2000, Safran Aero Boosters has concluded numerous partnership agreements for low-pressure compressors and lubrication equipment in aircraft engines across the whole thrust range. With these agreements, the company is playing its part in financing new engines alongside engine manufacturers and takes full industrial responsibility for the modules and/or equipment, which can represent as much as a 10% share of the full engine.

To more effectively cater to its customers' needs, Safran Aero Boosters has chosen to deepen and widen its expertise by acquiring two subsidiaries: Safran Test Cells and Safran Oil Systems. Its strategy is already paying off.

In partnership with the world's largest engine manufacturers, Safran Aero Boosters has been associated with most major aerospace programs in recent decades.