François Lepot, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aero Boosters, has announced the creation of a new subsidiary, Safran Booster Components, located in Welkenraedt, Wallonia, Belgium. The announcement, made in the presence of Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice-President of the Walloon Government and Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, supports Wallonia’s reindustrialisation efforts.
The new industrial site will manufacture aircraft engine compressor components, strengthening Safran Aero Boosters’ position in its field of excellence and within the region. The project, representing an investment of €125 million (US$144 million), has been made possible through a strong partnership with Walloon and Belgian federal public authorities, Wallonie Entreprendre (33%) and the Belgian Federal Holding and Investment Company – SFPIM (11%), both shareholders alongside Safran Aero Boosters (56%).
This decision comes at a time of strong acceleration in global demand across several civil aircraft programmes. Production rates for LEAP (Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo and COMAC C919), GEnx (Boeing 787) and GE9X (Boeing 777X) engines are set to increase significantly in the coming years. To support this acceleration, Safran is strengthening its industrial capacity, notably by duplicating production sources to prevent any supply disruptions, thereby meeting the expectations of its main customers, Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace.
This new facility complements Safran Aero Boosters’ existing industrial ecosystem. Together, the Milmort, Liers, Marchin and Welkenraedt sites will support Safran’s sustainable growth while securing its global supply chain.
The facility, which will be operational in 2028, will be housed in an 18,000 m² building previously occupied by Copeland, which is currently in the process of gradually winding down its operations at the site.
This choice enables the reuse of existing infrastructure without any additional land take.
The future plant will incorporate Safran’s most advanced industrial technologies in production, digitalisation and robotics, in order to meet the most demanding global standards. It will also contribute to the creation of approximately 100 jobs.
