Safran clears up the Messier confusion with tripartite merger

The new company will be headed by Alain Sauret, the current Chairman and CEO of Messier-Bugatti. Gilles Bouctot, the current CEO of Messier-Dowty, will be Chief Operating Officer.
“This merger is a decisive move to consolidate the leading positions in each of our business segments to provide customers with an expanded portfolio of integrated landing systems, associated equipment and services,“ said Yves Leclère, Safran group Executive Vice President. “There are key strategic benefits in combining three complementary organizations, technologies and commercial offerings.”
The new organisation comprises four operational divisions:
·  Landing Gear and Systems Integration: World leader in the design, manufacture and support of landing gear and integrated systems; and partner to 90 civil, military, regional and business aircraft programs.
·  Wheels and Brakes: Market leader in carbon brakes, holding close to 50% worldwide market share in this business segment.
·  Systems Equipment: Leading market position in the supply of an exhaustive range of landing systems equipment, including: steering, extension and retraction, braking and monitoring systems and supporting over 10,000 aircraft in service.
·  Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul: Major player in landing system MRO, backed by a worldwide network of 10 repair stations in three continents and servicing 500 customers.
A single customer support organization will underpin the three product divisions, ensuring more comprehensive and streamlined services for all customers.
MBD will be able to leverage the use of more cost-effective and environmentally responsible technologies across its business segments. This includes the increased use of new materials, such as composites and titanium, while introducing more electric technologies, such as Green Taxiing, which enables aircraft to manoeuvre on the ground without relying on thrust from the main engines.
Sauret added, “We are extremely pleased to make this announcement in conjunction with a series of recent commercial and program successes. This includes a 737 Next-Generation carbon brakes contract with Copa Airlines, our first delivery of the A350-900 main landing gears to Airbus, as well as an MRO contract
with Asiana airlines for its A320, A321 and A330 fleets. These announcements demonstrate the breadth of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty’s capabilities.”
Messier-Bugatti-Dowty is headquartered in Vélizy, near Paris. The company has 17 main facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, employing approximately 6,250 staff.