Jean-Paul Herteman, Chairman and CEO of Safran, and Joseph Morone,
President and CEO of Albany International Corp., inaugurated today a new
plant in Rochester, New Hampshire, that will produce 3D woven RTM
composite parts for aircraft engines. The inauguration ceremony was held
in the presence of representatives of the U.S. 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 U.S., and Fabien Fieschi, Consul General of France.
The Rochester operations of Safran and Albany International are located
in a new facility, about 300,000 square feet, situated in the Granite
State Business Park. The plant, which opened during 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 RTM composite parts produced by Safran
and Albany will contribute strongly to provide 15 percent better fuel
consumption 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 is a leading international high-technology group with
three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defense 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 22 states.
For more information, www.safran-group.com/
Follow @SAFRAN on Twitter
Albany International Corp. 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).
Additional information about the Company and its products and
services can be found at www.albint.com
Copyright Business Wire 2014