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During a ceremony at the Palais de l'Elysée today in Paris, attended by French President François Hollande, Safran Aircraft Engines and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M, part of the Air France-KLM group) signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the creation of a joint company dedicated to the repair of aircraft engine compressor blades. The new company's business will specifically concern CFM56 engines from CFM International• (Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families), the GE90 from General Electric (powering the Boeing 777) and the GP7200 from the Engine Alliance*• (for the Airbus A380).
The two partners will invest over 20 million euros in the new company, which will be owned 51% by Safran Aircraft Engines and 49% by Air France-KLM; it is scheduled to start operations in late 2017.
The company will be based in France, at the Sars et Rosière business park in the community of La Porte du Hainaut (northern France). The new plant will cover 15,000 square meters, and offer all the machinery and equipment needed to repair engine parts, including high-tech metallurgical processes.
After reaching full production capacity in 2020, the company should have a total of 200 to 250 employees. It will apply innovative management methods, largely based on team creativity and employee empowerment.
"The creation of this joint venture marks a new phase in Safran's long-standing relationship with Air France, » said Philippe Petitcolin, Chief Executive Officer of Safran. "Our shared ambition has driven the creation of a new high-tech company in France targeting an international growth market. As two major players in French industry we are very proud of our contribution to onshoring this strategic business, which calls on highly-qualified employees. It's also an excellent opportunity for Safran to bolster our position as a major player in the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector."
Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM, added: "I am delighted to see Safran and Air France-KLM, two industry leaders, pool their expertise to develop new skills and create over 200 jobs in France. With this project, Air France-KLM continues to invest in the development of our production business, one of the world leaders in aircraft MRO. Through this new state-of-the-art unit, AFI KLM E&M will strengthen its technological expertise and increase the competitiveness of our services in a very demanding global market."
• A 50/50 joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines of France and GE of the United States.
*• A joint company between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney.
About AFI KLM E&G
Following the merger of Air France-KLM (airfranceklm.com), Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance joined forces and formed a major multiproduct MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With over 14,000 employees, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, aerostructures and FTR support, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 1,500 aircraft operated by 150 major international and domestic airlines.
Safran (safran-group.com | safran-aircraft-engines.com) is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 70,000 employees and generated sales of 17.4 billion euros in 2015. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index, as well as the Euro Stoxx 50 European index.
Safran Aircraft Engines designs, produces, sells, alone or in partnership, commercial and military aircraft engines offering world-class performance, reliability and environmental-friendliness. Through CFM International*, Safran Aircraft Engines is the world's leading supplier of engines for short and medium-haul commercial jets.
*CFM is a 50/50 joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE
Contact: Aurélien Gomez - Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance
T. +33(0)1 49 89 53 52 - E: augomez[.]airfranceklm.com.
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giulia.lecarrie[.]safrangroup.com 
