Safran Blades: An Inauguration Marked by Pride and Innovation

The inaugural ceremony brought together numerous guests, including Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of the Walloon Government, Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Walloon Minister of Economy and Industry, and Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran. Local authorities, Belgian partners, and representatives from the aerospace sector were also present to share this symbolic moment.

With great pride and enthusiasm, the fifty or so Safran Blades employees already operating at the site warmly welcomed guests into this new center of excellence. The teams were eager to showcase their ultra-modern workplace, a reflection of their collective commitment and the spirit of innovation that drives the plant every day. Visitors had the opportunity to tour state-of-the-art workshops where automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence come together in the service of the aviation industry of tomorrow.

The highlight of the morning included a series of inspiring speeches. Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, Marjolaine Grange, Executive Vice President, Production, Purchasing, and Performance at Safran, as well as representatives of the Walloon Region and institutional partners, each paid tribute to this achievement. They underscored how the launch of Safran Blades represents a major milestone for the Group, the region, and all stakeholders involved. This inauguration is the culmination of an ambitious public–private partnership, transforming a former industrial brownfield into a showcase of innovation labeled "Factory of the Future."

This collective celebration shone a spotlight on the pride of Safran Blades’ employees, key players in a large-scale industrial project poised to have an impact far beyond the Liège region. By eventually creating 150 highly skilled jobs and producing 700,000 compressor blades per year for next-generation aircraft engines, Safran once again positions itself as a driver of progress and shared success.