Safran Selects Mobile as Home to First Airbus Supplier

Dec 6th, 2012

Labinal (Safran group) through its subsidiary Safran Engineering Services announced today it will open a new office in early 2013 in Mobile, Alabama. Located at the Brookley Aeroplex, this new engineering office will support aerospace an transportation companies in Alabama and bring additional capabilities and support to Airbus, a Labinal customer. The Brookley Aeroplex also hosts Singapore Technologies, another Labinal customer and is less than 1 mile from the future Airbus Final Assembly Line. Over the years, Alabama State officials, the City of Mobile, the Mobile Airport Authority, and the characteristic southern hospitality of local residents have made Alabama consistently attractive for new business.

“Labinal is very excited to be the first supplier to join the Airbus Engineering team in Mobile, Alabama. This new office reflects Labinal and Safran Engineering Services’ commitment to support our customers locally and expand our relationship with Airbus. We look forward to being in Alabama and being part of the Mobile community.” says Karen Bomba CEO of Labinal.

Safran Engineering Services headquarters is in Toulouse, France with offices in Everett, Washington, Wichita, Kansas and Chihuahua, Mexico and soon in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. They currently employ approximately 3,300 engineers and technicians globally.

About Labinal

Labinal is a high-tech company in the Safran Group and is recognized as the world leader in the field of electrical interconnection systems (and the engineering and technology that goes with them) for the aviation, space and defense markets and counts more than 10,500 employees in ten different
countries. The company’s unrivaled expertise is firmly rooted in decades of success in industrial design, development and production as reflected in the long-term partnerships it has with the main global aeronautical companies.

About Safran Engineering Services

Safran Engineering Services, subsidiary of Labinal, offers high technology engineering services in aerospace and ground transportation industry. With its 3,300 engineers and technicians, engaged within 9 Business Units around the world (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, United States, Mexico, Morocco, India and Brazil ) it is organized into competence centers combining expertise in the areas of Electrical Systems, Aerostructures, Mechanical Systems, Software and Electronic Embedded Systems, and Certification and Safety.

Quotes from Local, State, Federal, and Company Officials on
Safran Selecting Mobile

“Mobile’s economic outlook is strong and vibrant, so we are extremely proud of today’s announcement by Safran and its parent company Labinal, selecting Mobile and the Brookley Aeroplex for its engineering expansion. Safran is the first supplier company interrelated to Airbus. Airbus is and will be a transformative economic development project, so we hope there will be other companies in the future.”
Sam Jones
Mayor
City of Mobile

“Five months after we welcomed Airbus to Mobile, the second wave of good news is rolling into South Alabama as the first new Airbus supplier formally announces plans to locate at Brookley Aeroplex. SAFRAN Engineering is an international company with a sterling reputation in the aerospace community and their partnership with Airbus and Mobile represents an exciting beginning to the growth of high tech aviation industry jobs in South Alabama.”
Jo Bonner
U.S. House of Representatives

“This announcement is the latest example of how state and local leaders work together to get positive result. I want to welcome Safran Engineering Services as our newest corporate citizen, and I want to thank everyone who worked together to make this announcement possible. Alabama is poised for tremendous growth in the aerospace sector. Safran joining us in Alabama shows how we are building on the state’s momentum in the aerospace industry.”
Dr. Robert Bentley
Governor
State of Alabama

“It is very exciting that Labinal has chosen Mobile County. It is a statement that the Brookley Aeroplex is the place to locate for Airbus suppliers.”
Merceria Ludgood
Mobile County Commission President

"Safran is pleased to continue our growth by delivering value to our customers, providing superior products and investing in high quality American jobs. Our new Safran Engineering Center in Mobile reflects that commitment."
Peter N. Lengyel
President and CEO
Safran USA

"Labinal is very excited to be the first supplier to join the Airbus Engineering team in Mobile, Alabama. This new office reflects Labinal and Safran Engineering Services' commitment to support our customers locally and expand our relationship with Airbus. We look forward to being in Alabama and being part of the Mobile community."
Karen Bomba
CEO
Labinal

“Our team has done it again!! Many thanks For everyone working together!! Great job!!!!”
Reggie Copeland
Mobile City Council President

“With so many other cities vying for Airbus suppliers, if is important to know that our hard work in establishing business relationships globally, as well as having a sound foundation for economic development at home, is paying off in landing the very first Airbus supplier. Let the word go forth to all who wish to cipher business away from Mobile; when you get to our city, you are stepping into a seasoned league of proven professionals where failure is not an option.”
Fred Richardson
Mobile City Council Vice President

“It is inspiring to see the success our city has achieved through the hard work of so many. As we welcome Safran to Mobile, let’s keep the momentum going! More good news is on the way.”
William Carroll
Mobile City Council

“We have known for sometime the positive amenities Brookley Aeroplex offers, so we are extremely pleased that Safran and its parent company Labinal have selected to expand its engineering operations in Mobile.”
C. J. Small.
Mobile City Councilman

“This announcement solidifies our approach to attracting suppliers and support activities for AIRBUS--this means Jobs, and sends the message, world-wide, that our doors are open and we welcome all to our great city.”
John Williams
Mobile City Councilman

“The citizens of Mobile are pleased to welcome this esteemed international engineering firm into our community. I am sure they will complement the many outstanding engineering firms that already reside in our community. Their arrival is another exciting sign that Mobile will shortly be at the hub of the international aeronautic industry.”
Bess Rich
Mobile City Councilwoman

“We welcome our new neighbors and business partners to Mobile. We’re proud to call this stretch of the Gulf Coast home and I am certain everyone at Labinal will soon feel the connection. Mobile is a city steeped in history, with a progressive mindset and whose calling card reads southern charm.”
Gina Gregory
Mobile City Councilwoman

“We are extremely proud to have Labinal and the Safran family as part of our corporate community. This is another world leader in its field calling Mobile County home.”
Jerry Carl
Mobile County Commissioner

“We hope and expect that this is just the first step for Labinal and Safran in Mobile County. I trust that we will see more of their engineers and production workers locating here over the next few years.”
Connie Hudson
Mobile County Commissioner

“We are proud to have Labinal as part of our ever-growing aerospace family. The company’s reputation and international presence in Mobile is a testament to the team approach the City of Mobile, Mobile County, State of Alabama, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and other partners take to recruit industry here. These high-paying engineering jobs are proof the investment Mobile and the state made in Airbus is bearing fruit. I expect this to be the first of many returns on investment as Airbus continues work on its center of excellence at Brookley Aeroplex.”
Troy L. Wayman
Vice President, Economic Development
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

“Brookley Aeroplex is being transformed into a world-class center of excellence, and Labinal adds another exciting element in that transformation. Change doesn't usually happen overnight, but at Brookley it seems that the opposite is true.”
Bill Sisson
Executive Director
Mobile Airport Authority

“The exciting news at Brookley continues with Labinal’s announcement to locate here becoming an integral part of our community. This is yet another effort on the part of the Mobile Airport Authority to ensure jobs are provided for the great citizens of Mobile. Stay tuned... there’s more to come.”
Richard Davis
Chairman
Mobile Airport Authority