SAFRAN
Encyclopedia
Safran is a French conglomerate
involved in defense, aerospace
propulsion and equipment, and security
. It is the result of a merger between the propulsion and aerospace equipment group SNECMA
and the defense conglomerate SAGEM
. Its headquarters are located in Paris
.
The name Safran, literally meaning "rudder blade", was chosen from 4,250 suggestions. As a holding company
for many subsidiaries the name was deemed suitable for the suggestion of direction, movement and strategy. Safran also translates as saffron
, which the company highlights as one of the catalysts for early international trade.
engine company. Gnome & Rhône was nationalized in 1945, creating Snecma. In 2000, this company gave its name to the “Snecma Group”, and carried out a number of acquisitions to form a larger group with an array of complementary businesses.
in January 2009.
approved Safran's acquisition of 81 percent of the GE Security
division which produces airport security systems and biometric identification systems.
Security
Other
Conglomerate (company)
A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate structure , usually involving a parent company and several subsidiaries. Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company...
involved in defense, aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
propulsion and equipment, and security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
. It is the result of a merger between the propulsion and aerospace equipment group SNECMA
Snecma
Snecma is a major French manufacturer of engines for commercial and military aircraft, and for space vehicles. The name is an acronym for Société Nationale d'Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation .In 2005, the Snecma group, which included Snecma ,...
and the defense conglomerate SAGEM
SAGEM
SAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
. Its headquarters are located in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
The name Safran, literally meaning "rudder blade", was chosen from 4,250 suggestions. As a holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
for many subsidiaries the name was deemed suitable for the suggestion of direction, movement and strategy. Safran also translates as saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, which the company highlights as one of the catalysts for early international trade.
Snecma
In 1905 Louis Seguin created the company Gnome. Production of the first rotary engine for airplanes, the Gnome Omega, started in 1909. This company merged with the Le Rhône, a company created in 1912 by Louis Verdet, to form the Gnome et RhôneGnome et Rhône
Gnome et Rhône was a major French aircraft engine manufacturer. Between 1914 and 1918 they produced 25,000 of their 9-cylinder Delta and Le Rhône 110 hp rotary designs, while another 75,000 were produced by various licensees, powering the majority of aircraft in the first half of the war on...
engine company. Gnome & Rhône was nationalized in 1945, creating Snecma. In 2000, this company gave its name to the “Snecma Group”, and carried out a number of acquisitions to form a larger group with an array of complementary businesses.
Sagem
Sagem (Société d’Applications Générales de l’Electricité et de la Mécanique) was created in 1924 by Marcel Môme. In 1939, Sagem entered the telephone and transmissions market by taking control of Société d’Applications Téléphoniques (SAT). It acquired Société de Fabrication d’Instruments de Mesure (Sfim), a measurement instrument specialist, in 1999. However, by 2008 Sagem Mobile and Sagem Communications had been sold. Sagem Mobile became Sagem WirelessSagem Wireless
Sagem Wireless was a multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Paris, France. Sagem Wireless was engaged in the designing and manufacturing of customised connected lifestyle devices and services for mobile network operators and global consumer brands...
in January 2009.
Aerospace Propulsion
The Aerospace Propulsion branch groups all operations concerning the propulsion of airplanes, helicopters, missiles and launchers, for the civil aviation, military aviation and space markets: design, production, marketing, testing, maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO).- SnecmaSnecmaSnecma is a major French manufacturer of engines for commercial and military aircraft, and for space vehicles. The name is an acronym for Société Nationale d'Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation .In 2005, the Snecma group, which included Snecma ,...
(formerly Snecma Moteurs)- Commercial & military engines, liquid propulsion for space launchers
- TurbomecaTurbomecaTurbomeca is a French manufacturer of low- and medium-power gas turbine turboshaft engines for helicopters. The company also produces gas turbine engines for aircraft and missiles, as well as turbines for land, industrial and marine applications...
- Turboshaft engines for helicopters
- Jet engines for training and support aircraft
- Turbines for missiles and drones
- Snecma Propulsion Solide
- Solid rocket motors for launchers, strategic and tactical missiles
- Thermostructural composite materials
- Techspace Aero
- Components for aircraft and rocket engines
Other subsidiaries
- Cenco
- Microturbo
- Smartec
- SMA EnginesSMA EnginesSMA Engines is a French manufacturer of diesel engines for light aircraft. A subsidiary of Safran, SMA engine production is currently limited to one model, the SMA SR305-230, which has received a Supplemental Type Certificate for installation in the Cessna 182Q and R.-History:SMA was founded in...
- Snecma Services Brussels
- Snecma Suzhou
- Snecma Xinyi Airfoil Castings
Aircraft Equipment
The Aircraft Equipment branch groups all design, production, sales and support operations for systems and equipment used by civil and military airplanes and helicopters.- Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
- Landing gear design, manufacture, and support
- Wheels and carbon brakes for mainline commercial jets
- Braking control and hydraulic systems.
- Aircelle
- Commercial airplane engine nacelles and thrust reversers
- LabinalLabinalLabinal is an electrical wiring systems design, engineering, manufacturing and installation firm headquartered in Blagnac, France. Labinal also develops technology for the aviation, space and defense markets...
- Aircraft wiring systems
- Hispano-SuizaHispano-SuizaHispano-Suiza was a Spanish automotive and engineering firm, best known for its luxury cars and aviation engines in the pre-World War II period of the twentieth century. In 1923, its French subsidiary became a semi-autonomous partnership with the parent company and is now part of the French SAFRAN...
- Mechanical, hydraulic, electronic and electrical equipment
- Safran Engineering Services
- Engineering and consulting company
- Technofan
- Fan designer and manufacturer
Other subsidiaries
- Cinch Connectors
- Globe Motors
- Messier-Bugatti USA
- Safran Engineering Services India (SESI)
- SLCA
- Sofrance
- Technofan Inc.
- Teuchos Maroc
Defense – Security
The Defense Security branch operates in the civil, military and space markets, and covers the following areas: inertial guidance and navigation equipment (SIGMA INS based on Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) sensors), optronic systems and equipment, avionics systems, UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems, air-land systems and equipment, biometric identification systems, secure transaction terminals and smart cards. On July 1, 2009, the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
approved Safran's acquisition of 81 percent of the GE Security
GE Security
GE Security was a division of General Electric Inc's GE Enterprise Solutions. It was acquired by UTC on March 1, 2010 and is now part of UTC Fire & Security...
division which produces airport security systems and biometric identification systems.
- SagemSAGEMSAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
- Technologies and services in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software
- Morpho
- Multibiometric technologies, smart cards, secure transactions and identity management solutions
Other subsidiaries
Defense- Sagem Avionics
- Vectronix
Security
- MorphoTrak (formerly Sagem Morpho):
- Sagem Orga
Other
- Safran Conseil
Financial information
| Year | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales (M€ Euro The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,... ) |
11,329 | 12,003 |
| Net income, Group share (M€) | 177 | 406 |
| Cash flow (M€) | 1,003 | 1,221 |
| Self-financed R&D (M€) | 334 | 401 |
Shareholding structure
At December 31, 2010:- Public : 47.6%
- StateGovernment of FranceThe government of the French Republic is a semi-presidential system determined by the French Constitution of the fifth Republic. The nation declares itself to be an "indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic"...
: 30.2% - Employees : 16%
- ArevaArevaAREVA is a French public multinational industrial conglomerate headquartered in the Tour Areva in Courbevoie, Paris. AREVA is mainly known for nuclear power; it also has interests in other energy projects. It was created on 3 September 2001, by the merger of Framatome , Cogema and...
: 2% - Treasury shares: 4.2%