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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Safran Expands Ladson, South Carolina, Manufacturing Center

11/30/2016
Safran, a leading provider of systems and equipment for aircraft, expanded its facility in the Palmetto Commerce Parkway in Ladson, South Carolina. The company will construct a new facility adjacent to its existing operations. This $7 million expansion is expected to create 15 new jobs in Charleston County.

Operating in the Charleston area since 2008, Safran is the provider of landing and braking systems, propulsion components, electrical wiring and electronics and engineering services for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The company’s new facility supports the assembly of wiring and landing gear activities for the Dreamliner. With the new facility already operational, Safran’s wire harness inventory management, delivery and repair services will continue. Additionally, the company is also performing final assembly on the 787 landing gear to integrate wheel and brake system components.

“This growth demonstrates our long-term commitment to our customers. Through partnerships, organic growth and investment of $3 billion in the U.S. over the past few years in acquisitions and new facilities, Safran has gained new competencies to back our long-term strategy. As we approach nearly half a century of presence here, we will continue to create jobs and bring cutting-edge technologies to our U.S. customers,” said President & CEO of Safran USA Peter Lengyel.

“Partnering with the Safran Electrical & Power team will enhance the company’s support capabilities for the Boeing 787 final assembly line and provide optimized and custom solutions for our customer. To be able to work jointly with our sister company to better serve our customer is incredibly important,” Vice President of North American Programs at Safran Landing Systems Deane Weatherby added.

“It is with much anticipated excitement that we are opening this new facility with a capital investment of $7 million in South Carolina, a rapidly booming aerospace cluster. We have increased our footprint significantly with this customized facility and are also expanding our local workforce,” said Safran Electrical & Power Charleston General Manager Paul McDowell.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $100,000 Set Aside grant to Charleston County to assist with the costs of real property improvements.

“It is with marked excitement that we congratulate Safran on their announcement to expand their presence in Charleston County. The relationships we have cultivated over the years between Safran and Boeing have reaped benefits and demonstrate our continued commitment to the aerospace industry. By judiciously approving economic development incentives, Charleston County Council is helping to foster a diverse economy to support a desirable quality of life for county residents,” said Charleston County Chairman Elliott Summey.

“We’ve been talking with Safran for some time about the competitive advantages the Charleston region offers. Our highly-skilled workforce, business-friendly climate and globally-connected infrastructure influenced Safran’s expansion decision to offer multiple capabilities to better serve its customer Boeing. Safran will be a tremendous asset to our growing aerospace cluster for many years to come,” said Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman Todd Gallati.

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