Credit: Adrien Daste/Safran
PARIS—Airbus is strategizing to secure steel provision for its suppliers, and Safran has taken decisive steps to replace its U.S. suppliers for turbine blades by constructing a new factory, as revealed by company officials on June 13 at the Paris Air Forum.
Supply chain crises continue to challenge industries globally, prompting Airbus and Safran to enhance their supply chain resilience and reliability.
Airbus is considering a new method to ensure a stable steel supply for its suppliers, similar to its current strategy for aluminum and titanium. Florent Massou, COO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, explained that Airbus uses a scheme called “conbid” for aluminum and titanium. This system secures a quantity and price from metal providers, from which Airbus’ suppliers purchase according to their needs.
Massou mentioned that Airbus plans to adopt a similar approach for steel due to the ongoing steel crisis. “There is a steel crisis, and 250 nuances of steel can be found in an Airbus aircraft,” he noted. This initiative aims to stabilize steel supply and pricing, which is vital for Airbus’s aircraft production.
In a parallel effort, Safran is addressing supply chain vulnerabilities by establishing a new foundry facility, Safran Turbine Airfoils, in Rennes, western France. The groundbreaking for this facility occurred in February, and it is scheduled to begin producing M88 and Leap turbine blades by 2027. This new facility will replace U.S.-based suppliers Howmet Aerospace and Precision Castparts Corp.
Marjolaine Grange, Safran’s head of industry, procurement, and performance, highlighted the increasing demand for defense hardware as a critical factor in this decision. “Some regions activate ‘defense passes,’ meaning that we do not have priority when we procure from those regions. This is a sovereignty issue, and it does not only show in defense products; it also impacts our commercial products,” Grange explained.
This situation has underscored the challenge of relying on external suppliers whose production priorities can shift without notice. Establishing the new factory in Rennes was a strategic move to support Dassault Aviation’s Rafale sales and reduce dependence on external turbine blade suppliers. “That was an opportunity,” Grange said. “We determined we should desensitize from some turbine blade suppliers.”
The proactive measures taken by Airbus and Safran reflect their commitment to enhancing the resilience and reliability of their supply chains. By securing critical materials and investing in new production facilities, these aerospace leaders are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the global supply chain landscape.
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Source : https://aviationweek.com/
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