Login
Safran Nacelles opens its new nacelle MRO centre in Suzhou, China
On 25th October, Safran Nacelles opened its new repair centre in Suzhou, China. Those attending included Alain Berger, Executive Vice President - Customer Support & Services of Safran Nacelles, Joan Valadou, General Consul of France, Wu Hong, Director General of Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee, Liu Xi Peng, Deputy General Manager of Component Division of Eastern Airlines Technic, as well as members of Safran management in China, customers and employees.
Inauguration of Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou
Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou repair centre was inaugurated in Safran Industrial complex in the heart of Suzhou free trade area, just one hour from Shanghai. Over a hundred officials, customers, and employees showed their confidence by attending this event, which officially marks the start of activities on site. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with a traditional Lion dance accompanied the speeches, offering the site the best possible prospects.
"We are very pleased to open our new nacelle repair centre in China. It completes our MRO network which already covers Europe, America, and the Middle East. Our aim is to be as close as possible to our customers to deliver a swift response and enhanced capacities for nacelles" said Alain Berger, Executive Vice President Customer Support & Services at Safran Nacelles.
"Asia region will double its fleet of commercial aircraft over the next 20 years. The opening of Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou is another step forward in continuing to deliver the best possible service for our customers" added Rémi Paul, Safran China CEO.
Installation of Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou: a challenge successfully met!
Between 2021 and 2022, Safran Nacelles staff fitted out the building, recruited and trained personnel, installed the tool systems required for nacelle repairs, and obtained the necessary approvals and certifications from European and Chinese authorities. Activities progressively started in late 2022 until the early 2023 delivery of the first fully repaired A320neo thrust reverser. Since then, ten nacelles have been overhauled and the future is promising.
"I am extremely proud of the work accomplished in building this leading-edge MRO repair centre. This is the result of excellent collaboration between our teams in China and France which enabled us to rise to the challenges throughout the installation", said Troy Smith, General Manager, Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou.
Safran Nacelles Services Suzhou benefits from 20+ years of experience in nacelle repairs transferred from other Safran Nacelles sites, especially the European centre in Pont Audemer, France. It is therefore compliant with the latest 5S and Lean manufacturing standards, as well as digital visual management.
A leading-edge nacelle MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) centre
The 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq.ft) repair centre will repair nacelles on Airbus A330ceo, A330neo, A320neo aircraft fleets which use the LEAP-1A engine built by CFM International1 and COMAC C919 aircraft. It will also serve to store large nacelle components such as air inlet, thrust reversers, and exhaust systems.
The employees are experts in repairing composite and metal airframe components. They can also work on aircraft on the ground at customer locations.
All the activities fall under the NacelleLife™ support and services offering, which covers all Safran Nacelles after-sales business and aims to provide a responsive, high-quality, and good-value service.
(1) CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace.
- Maps are available under the Open Database Licence.
- © OpenStreetMap contributors.
- © Safran