Safran expands its footprint in South Carolina

A new facility to accommodate final assembly work on Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing gear to integrate wheel and brake system components.

Safran announced the inauguration of a new facility in Charleston, South Carolina, located near the Boeing final assembly facility. The new site will support the assembly of wiring and landing gear activities for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Safran is the provider of landing and braking systems, propulsion components, electrical wiring, electronics and engineering services for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

Safran Electrical & Power has been operating in Charleston since 2008. As Safran expands its local presence, the anticipated workforce will also grow gradually by 15 team members to support Boeing production.

"It is with much anticipated excitement that we are opening this new facility, with a capital investment of over $7 million, in South Carolina, a rapidly booming aerospace cluster. We have increased our footprint significantly with this customized facility and are also expanding our local workforce," said Paul McDowell, Safran Electrical & Power Charleston General Manager. 

Safran Electrical & Power Charleston will continue with the current wire harness inventory management, delivery and repair services it provides to Boeing. In addition, it will perform final assembly on the 787 landing gear to integrate wheel and brake system components on behalf of sister company Safran Landing Systems.

"Partnering with the Safran Electrical & Power team will enhance the company's support capabilities for the Boeing 787 final assembly line and provide optimized and custom solutions for our customer," says Deane Weatherby, VP, North American Programs at Safran Landing Systems. "To be able to work jointly with our sister company to better serve our customer is incredibly important," he added.

Safran is No. 1 worldwide in wiring solutions and landing and braking systems and No. 2 worldwide in electrical power generation.

The South Carolina facility is one of several U.S. plants creating a Safran aerospace hub in the southeastern United States. This expansion is part of Safran's plan to emphasize its business and customer relationships by enhancing its U.S. footprint.

"This growth demonstrates our long-term commitment to our customers. Through partnerships, organic growth, and investment of $3 billion in the U.S. over the past few years in acquisitions and new facilities, Safran has gained new competencies to back our long-term strategy," said Peter Lengyel, President & CEO of Safran USA. "As we approach nearly half a century of presence here, we will continue to create jobs and bring cutting-edge technologies to our U.S. customers," he added.