Jean-Paul Herteman, Chairman and CEO of Safran, and Joseph Morone, President and CEO of Albany International Corp., inaugurated a new plant in Rochester, New Hampshire that will produce composite parts for aircraft engines.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of representatives of the US and French governments, including New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Kelly Ayotte, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Rochester Mayor T.J Jean, François Delattre, the Ambassador of the French Republic in the US, and Fabien Fieschi, Consul General of France.
The Rochester operations of Safran and Albany International are located at a new complex, about 300,000 sq. ft. large, located in the Granite State Business Park. The plant, which opened in 2013, was built to produce 3D woven composite parts using RTM technology for aircraft engine parts. The first application will be fan cases and fan blades for CFM International’s LEAP engine*, dedicated to the next-generation single-aisle aircraft. A total of 130 people currently are employed at the joint operation, with a total of 400-500 envisioned when full-rate production is attained.
The foundation of the LEAP engine is deeply rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental and materials technologies. Particularly strong and lightweight, the 3D woven RTM composite parts produced by Safran and Albany will contribute strongly to provide 15 percent better fuel efficiency compared to today’s best CFM engine. Selected to power new and improved narrow-body commercial aircraft including the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320neo, the LEAP engine has achieved broad-based market acceptance with more than 6,000 engines ordered to date.
“I am very pleased to inaugurate this plant today along with our Albany International partner,” said Jean-Paul Herteman. “Our presence in Rochester reflects our commitment to this state and to the US. For more than 40 years, through CFM International, our exceptional long-term partnership with GE, and both organic growth and acquisitions, Safran has become a formidable presence in the US. Our aim is to continue to expand our position and to contribute to the development of the aerospace and security markets as an American company, to ensure optimum service for our civil and military customers here,” he added.
Joseph Morone, President and CEO of Albany International Corp., said “Today’s event is an important milestone in a collaboration between Safran and Albany that began in 2000 as joint research and development and that has blossomed into the unique partnership epitomized by this plant. The strong relationships our two companies have formed with the State of New Hampshire and City of Rochester and their support of our joint effort have contributed immeasurably to the success we celebrate today.”
Safran and Albany have made significant investments in the Rochester plant, which features a state-of-the-art industrial design, and the two companies are also building a similar plant in Commercy (France) that will produce the same advanced composites parts for the LEAP engine. The Commercy plant will start operations mid-2014.
* CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE.
Safran (safran-group.com) is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 66,200 employees and generated sales of 14,7 billion euros in 2013. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 1.8 billion Euros in 2013. Safran is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index.
The group U.S industrial footprint comprises 32 companies and joint venture, which brings together the resources of 7,000 employees across 58 locations in 22states.
About Albany International Corp.
Albany International Corp. (albint.com) is a global advanced textiles and materials processing company, with two core businesses. Machine Clothing is the world’s leading producer of custom-designed fabrics and belts essential to production in the paper, nonwovens, and other process industries. Albany Engineered Composites is a rapidly growing supplier of highly engineered composite parts for the aerospace industry. Albany International is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, operates 20 plants in 11 countries, employs 4,100 people worldwide, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol AIN).
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