Safran rallies its suppliers around its strategic priorities

With almost 400 people invited, the Safran Campus was a lot more lively than usual on Thursday, March 27, 2025. And for good reason: the Group was hosting its latest Supplier Day, an unparalleled opportunity for meetings and discussions between Safran and its 400 main suppliers. The aim was to get them on board with the Group’s strategy as presented during the Capital Markets Day held in December 2024.

While the first two Supplier Days highlighted Safran’s decarbonization strategy, the 2024 event introduced the topic of operational excellence in response to the ramp-up of the aeronautical sector. This year, Safran presented all of its strategic priorities to its suppliers: aviation security, on-time delivery, resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable development. 

With discussions ranging from the rise in air traffic and the latest generation of aircraft to the global geopolitical context, this year’s Supplier Day highlighted the desire to align around a common vision and a common strategy so we can all tackle the challenges of both today and tomorrow. This is all the more necessary in light of the unprecedented paradigm shift the aeronautical industry is experiencing, particularly in the defense sector, as Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, pointed out: 

Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, then spoke about market outlooks, reiterating that it was crucial to prepare for the many ramp-ups to come—whether in production, supporting our customers (including Airbus, Boeing, and Bell), or in maintenance and repair. 

Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, endorsed this view, pointing out that defense was also a high-growth market and was undergoing profound changes (such as the emergence of new actors and the transformation of the battlefield), particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions. As a result, competitiveness remains crucial to maintaining leadership status in this changing landscape. 

And what better way to achieve these competitiveness goals than through innovation? Eric Dalbiès, EVP, Strategy and Chief Technology Officer, spoke about the Group’s innovation strategy (which has been recognized three times in 2025). He also detailed the three main focuses of our roadmap to decarbonize aviation: developing ultra-efficient aircraft technology (in particular through the RISE R&T program), accelerating the transition toward sustainable fuels, and exploiting the potential of hybrid/electric propulsion. 

Remaining the supplier of choice for our customers is the goal shared with the Group’s supply chain stakeholders. To achieve this, safety and quality are the two essential prerequisites, as Marjolaine Grange and Christophe Guéret pointed out.

These competitiveness and supply chain resilience goals were also highlighted at a round table chaired by Marjolaine Grange and featuring Jean-Noël Mahieu (EVP Operations at Safran Electronics & Defense), Dominique Dupuy (Vice President, Purchasing at Safran Aircraft Engines), and Emmanuel Drouet (Vice President, Procurement at Safran Nacelles). All three presented examples of the action plans put in place in their respective companies before reiterating their expectations in the very near term for competitiveness plans with their suppliers. 

To improve their performance in terms of operations, the environment, and cybersecurity, suppliers can access the Aero Excellence program. Launched in 2023, Aero Excellence is a single framework recognized by the entire aeronautical sector. 

The decarbonization strategy put in place by Safran and its suppliers was also discussed at this year’s Supplier Day, with a round table led by Nathalie Stubler, Chief Sustainability Officer, alongside Kevin Pearson, EVP, Strategic Purchasing & Supply Chain at Safran Cabin. 

Safran has led over 70% of its main suppliers to launch a decarbonization process. Action plans must now be put in place and bring significant results. Safran reduced emissions from its own operations by over 40% in 2024. 

After reiterating the Group’s targets and presenting the key figures for the year, the round table highlighted Uni-Mill and Radiall as examples. Both companies have put in place exemplary decarbonization strategies and have also joined the EcoVadis initiative, which Safran promotes to its suppliers. 

It wouldn’t be a Supplier Day without an awards ceremony! This year, suppliers received awards in eight categories that reflect the Group’s major challenges. Discover the winners across all categories below:

• Performance: Hyatech
• Competitiveness: Aciturri
• Innovation: Clayens
• Special prize: Kobe Steel

Sustainability and low-carbon awards

• Energy consumption: Lauak
• Management, monitoring, and approach: Dedienne Aerospace
• Raw material recycling: Sandvik
• Specific category: Forgital 

This year’s event gave the Group an opportunity to involve its suppliers in its growth and transformation. Many went away feeling more determined than ever to win the next competition, scheduled for 2026!

“The Purchasing teams who work with suppliers on a daily basis now have a very clear roadmap for the years ahead,” said Marjolaine Grange. “It was a very successful day that participants enjoyed attending thanks to the hard work of the organizers—a huge thank you to the team, and see you next year!”

*OTD:On-Time Delivery. This performance indicator is used to measure the number of orders delivered to customers on time.

**SMS: Safety Management System. A systematic risk and safety management approach.

***APQP: Advanced Product Quality Planning. A risk analysis method designed to ensure product quality and reliability from the design stage. 

****QRQC. Quick Response Quality Control.