Safran Landing Systems inaugurated today a new building dedicated to machining activities and two surface treatment lines at its Molsheim site in Alsace, France. The ceremony was attended by Claude Sturni, Vice-Président of the Grand Est Region, Thierry Rogelet, Sub-Prefect of Molsheim, Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, and François Bastin, CEO of Safran Landing Systems.

This investment modernizes and increases the Alsace site's production and maintenance capacities for landing and braking systems, to keep pace with the increasing production rates of aircraft manufacturers and the growing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) needs of airlines.

The first of these industrial facilities, ExcelFAB, is an 840 m2 building equipped with state-of-the-art 5-axis machining centers. It is dedicated to the production of critical parts for landing systems (braking manifolds, uplocks and steering manifolds, etc.). Its automated production process delivers optimum industrial performance and quality. In 2021, the Grand Est region has awarded a 1.125 million euro grant to the Molsheim facility to support the development of its systems and equipment production, including ExcelFAB.

The two other industrial facilities, a Sulfuric Acid Anodizing (SAA) line and a chrome plating line, are used to protect parts against corrosion and friction. The SAA line processes wheels, hydraulic rings and other new aluminum parts for wheel and brake assemblies, while the chrome plating line is dedicated to landing gear maintenance activities and can handle up to 3,000 different types of steel parts. Using digital technologies, these two lines enable production data to be monitored in real time, ensuring optimum quality.

In line with Safran's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, these three facilities provide employees with workstations that meet the highest ergonomic standards, while limiting handling. These investments have also been designed to be eco-responsible. Thanks to its thermal insulation and reversible thermodynamic heating system, the ExcelFAB building reduces its energy consumption by 40%. The new machining centers consume 10% less energy, and CO2 emissions from the SAA line have been reduced by 98 tons a year thanks to the installation of a heat pump to replace gas heating.

"With these new industrial resources, Safran Landing Systems anticipates and secures the needs of its customers in a context of growing air traffic and defense activities. More broadly, these investments reflect our ongoing determination to offer the best solutions and support to our customers, while meeting our commitments in terms of decarbonization." - François Bastin, Safran Landing Systems CEO

Specializing in the production and assembly of equipment, wheels and carbon brakes, as well as in landing system maintenance, the Molsheim site, with over 1,000 employees, supports more than 170 customers and 50 aeronautical programs.