The new press will support a near-doubling of production at the Gennevilliers facility by 2035 across all engine families. It will underpin the ramp-up of the CFM International LEAP engine — a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace — which powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX family.
The press will also support military engine programmes, including those for the Rafale, Mirage and A400M aircraft, as well as high-thrust GE Aerospace engines in which Safran Aircraft Engines holds a partnership role, such as the GE90 powering the Boeing 777. At full production rate, the facility will produce 14,000 parts per year and will be capable of manufacturing large components for future civil aircraft engine programmes requiring high-tonnage pressing capacity.
The upgraded facility will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including sensors and connected systems to ensure precise monitoring of the entire forging process. The investment will also reduce the forge’s noise footprint, reflecting broader commitments to operational and environmental standards.
Stéphane Cueille, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines, welcomed the announcement. “We’re proud to announce this major investment to support the strong growth of our commercial and military businesses,” he said.
Cueille also underscored the project’s strategic and industrial significance. “This project will strengthen our unique expertise in forging processes and contribute to our industrial and technological sovereignty. It rounds out the recent investments made in Rennes and Le Creusot to develop our supply chain in France and ensure our resilience, especially for military engine parts,” he added.
The Gennevilliers site has more than 120 years of expertise and plays a central role in Safran Aircraft Engines’ industrial ecosystem, encompassing advanced capabilities in forging, casting and machining. This integrated approach makes Safran Aircraft Engines the only aircraft engine manufacturer in the world with fully integrated forging capabilities, reinforcing its position of industrial excellence.
