Boeing and Safran are to jointly design, build and service Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) as part of a 50/50 joint venture that will be based in the USA.
The joint venture is expected to start before the end of the year subject to regulatory and antitrust clearance.
Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services, said, “This strategic partnership will leverage Boeing’s deep customer and airplane knowledge along with Safran’s experience in designing and producing complex propulsion assemblies to deliver expanded, innovative services solutions to our customers.”
Safran already supplies components to Boeing’s commercial and defense programs, including as a partner to produce CFM’s LEAP-1B engine for the 737 MAX. Boeing and Safran are also partners in Matis, a joint venture in Morocco producing wiring products for several airframe and engine companies.
Philippe Petitcolin, CEO of Safran said, “Safran has contributed to prestigious international military and civil programs, providing reliable, high-performance APU systems since 1962. Together we are committed to delivering advanced APUs and world-class support to our customers.”
French aerospace and engineering group Safran recently acquired Zodiac Aerospace, another French firm aerospace equipment supplier in a €8.7bn (US$10bn) deal.
