Safran to invest €70 million to expand Le Creusot plant for Rafale and Boeing engine parts manufacturing

By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe)

Safran Aircraft Engines has announced a €70 million project to expand its Le Creusot facility in eastern France, which specialises in machining complex rotating parts. The expansion will add new production lines for components used in the M88 and GE90 engines, powering the Rafale fighter jet and Boeing 777 aircraft respectively.
Photo: French Navy.

Safran Aircraft Engines has announced a €70 million project to expand its Le Creusot facility in eastern France, which specialises in machining complex rotating parts. The expansion will add new production lines for components used in the M88 and GE90 engines, powering the Rafale fighter jet and Boeing 777 aircraft respectively.

 

The site currently produces low-pressure turbine disks for CFM International’s LEAP and CFM56 engines used on Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Once completed, the 9,000 square metre extension will lift total industrial floorspace to 26,000 square metres and raise the workforce from 200 to 300 employees by 2032.

Scheduled to be operational in 2029, the expanded site will become Safran’s second production source for complex rotating parts for the M88 engine, alongside its Évry-Corbeil facility. Machining operations will begin at the existing Le Creusot plant in 2026 before being transferred to the new area, supporting continuity and a ramp-up in engine deliveries.

“We’re proud to announce the expansion of our Le Creusot site, which reflects our ambition to strengthen our internal supply chain to support growth in our business,” said Claude Quillien, Vice President, Industrial Operations and Supply Chain at Safran Aircraft Engines. “This project will help reinforce industrial and technological sovereignty while meeting the needs of our civil and military customers.”

Safran described Le Creusot as a flagship industrial site meeting Industry 4.0 standards, with digitalised, connected and automated production systems. Many operations rely on closed-door machining, allowing automated machining centres to run continuously without human intervention, including overnight.

 

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