Safran to build new plant in India to make parts for the LEAP engine

Supported by the Telangana State, Safran will invest €36 million in this new plant, which will cover 13,000m², including 8,000m² of workshops, in the Special Economic Zone of GMR near the airport. Construction is set to kick off in June 2019, and will aim at delivering the building and producing the first parts in early 2020.

The plant will have about 50 employees by the end of the year to launch operations, and will reach a workforce of 300. All employees will benefit from a complete training program. The plant will be based on Safran’s highest standards for industrial processes and machinery, including real-time monitoring of production parameters, and the latest integrated inspection methods.

Petitcolin said: “We’re delighted to open a new chapter in our long history with the Indian aerospace industry, thus reasserting Safran’s commitment to our "Make in India" strategy. Aerospace continues to be a significant driver of India’s growth, and we want to fully support this dynamic by bolstering our investments and training programs in the country.”

“We are delighted that Safran has selected Hyderabad to establish its Safran Aircraft Engines manufacturing plant, thus joining the league of other global OEMs who are already manufacturing and exporting from Telangana”, said Shri K.Chandrashekar Rao. “Aerospace is a focus industrial sector for Telangana and the State government is providing maximum support to encourage the industry”.

When the plant hits cruise speed in 2023, it will be able to deliver 15,000 parts per year to support the LEAP’s sustained production rate. CFM is set to deliver 1,800 engines this year, rising to 2,000 starting in 2020. The new-generation LEAP entered service in 2016 and powers more than 700 Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX commercial airliners, including 54 operated by Indian airlines.

Safran has operated in India for some 65 years, and now has over 600 employees at seven companies which provide design, production and support services for aerospace and defence, plus a maintenance training centre in Hyderabad for CFM engines. Opened in 2010, this centre can train more than 500 technicians a year.

www.safran-group.com