Safran’s industrial role in Ohio is spotlighted during Aerospace Day

December 13, 2018

Safran took part in the Ohio Aerospace Day held December 5 at the Ohio Statehouse in the capital city of Columbus. Organized by the Ohio Aerospace & Aviation Council (OAAC), this event brought together government, industry, and academic leaders to discuss the future of the aerospace and aviation industry in the state.

With a theme of “Sustained Growth through Aerospace and Aviation,” the gathering was an opportunity for Safran to highlight its key contribution to Ohio’s aerospace sector while showcasing several products developed locally.

Safran’s industrial role

Peter Lengyel, President and CEO of Safran USA, joined a panel of industry leaders and aerospace representatives for a discussion moderated by Dr. Carlos Grodsisnksy, OAAC Chair and COO of Zin Technologies. Lengyel provided an overview of Safran’s presence in Ohio and across the United States, where the Group employs 14,000 people and develops state-of-the-art products for the aerospace sector. He also provided examples to highlight the Group's commitment to developing local aerospace talent and to supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Additionally, this panel was an opportunity to discuss Safran’s strategy of working closely with state and local officials to bring value to all parties.

Key speakers also included Jon Husted, Ohio Secretary of State and incoming Lt. Governor; and Senator Bill Beagle, Chairman of the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee (OAATC).

Key contributions to the Ohio aerospace industry

Ohio Aerospace Day featured an area dedicated to educational and interactive displays. Visitors were offered a close-up look at a range of aircraft electrical system equipment developed by Safran Electrical in Power in Twinsburg, Ohio. The Twinsburg facility is dedicated to developing and maintaining electrical power generation and management systems for commercial and military aircraft. With more than 130 employees at present, the facility has seen steady growth in hiring over the past few years. In order to attract key talent, the company is active in the local community through partnerships with colleges and universities.

In addition to Safran Electrical & Power, the state of Ohio is home to three other Safran companies: CFM International (the 40-plus year-old joint company of Safran Aircraft Engines and GE for the highly successful CFM and LEAP turbofan jet engines); the support office that oversees Safran USA engine supply chain in the United States; and Nexcelle, the joint venture of GE Aviation and Safran Nacelles for jet engine nacelle development and production. These companies are all located in the Cincinnati area.