Safran Landing Systems formally kicks off the latest expansion of its Kentucky carbon brake production facility

 

September 29, 2016

Safran Landing Systems has broken ground on an $100-million-plus expansion of its Walton, Kentucky plant for aircraft carbon brakes and refurbishment – a project that will increase the U.S. site’s capacity to meet growing airline demand for wheels and carbon brakes.

The start of construction was officially marked this week during a ceremony attended by state, local and regional officials from Kentucky – including the state’s Governor Matt Bevin – along with top executives from Safran Landing Systems.

This expansion is a significant commitment to reinforcing Safran’s presence in the U.S. Following the construction phase’s expected completion by the end of 2017, approximately 80 new jobs will be added at the Northern Kentucky site, which is now undergoing its fifth expansion since 1999.

Safran: a prominent presence in Kentucky

During his address Governor Bevin thanked Safran employees for their contributions to the state of Kentucky. “Safran has become a good partner to Kentucky,” he said. “We are known for making, engineering and manufacturing exceptional products. We are known for this because of folks like (Safran).”

The Walton plant – which currently employs nearly 300 people – performs carbon brake production and refurbishment for such North American airlines as Delta, Spirit Airlines and Air Canada, among others. Its products equip the Boeing 787, 737, 767 and 777 commercial airplanes, the Airbus A320 family, and are also used on military aircraft. 

“Safran has proven to be one of Northern Kentucky’s greatest success stories and a major contributor to our fast-growing aerospace industry,” said Steve Pendery, who is Campbell County, Kentucky’s Judge/Executive and a member of the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. 

In addition to Walton, Safran Landing Systems has carbon production plants in Villeurbanne, France and Sendaya, Malaysia.