Progress on the French “Pacte PME Défense initiative”

Jean-Paul Herteman, Chairman and CEO of Safran, and Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Defense, today signed an agreement to support small businesses within the scope of the Pacte PME Défense initiative launched by the French government on November 27, 2012.

Through this agreement, Safran pledges to develop its defense-oriented industrial and technological base by calling on small businesses. It also agrees to foster equitable partnership relations with these companies (concerning intellectual property, for instance), and keep them better informed on Safran’s objectives and requirements, especially concerning Research & Technology (R&T) and innovation. Safran will also contribute to their international development, by allowing these small, national companies to benefit from the Group’s global presence spanning 57 countries. “The uncontested superiority of French armed forces in the Malian theater of operations is of course due to our troops’ professionalism and courage,” noted French defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. “But this superiority is also a result of the outstanding quality of our military equipment, developed and produced by a strong defense industry spanning companies from major multinationals such as Safran to their subcontractors. During today’s visit to Gennevilliers I wanted to pay tribute to these fully committed engineers and technicians, and remind them what a uniquely decisive role they play.”

The agreement was signed at Snecma’s Gennevilliers plant near Paris. Safran’s birthplace, the Gennevilliers plant is now specialized in forging, casting and machining critical parts for both commercial and military aircraft engines.

Source : Safran S.A.