Aerospace giant says the sector is in a good place
The boss of one of Europe's biggest aerospace engineering firms, also a major Gloucestershire employer, has said the sector is in a good place - and its business achieving record figures.
* The Reports & Deals section of Raikes is also home to its star attraction, the perpetual Top 100-plus Businesses in Gloucestershire list, which tracks the financial fortunes of the county’s biggest firms by turnover. We would like to thank the generous support of our Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne; our sponsors Hartpury University and Hartpury College; our Founding Members and all our wonderful paying subscribers. A massive ‘thank you’ to all our other subscribers too. Your support is invaluable! If you are not already, please consider upgrading to paid (just £2.30 a week!). You’ll be able to read beyond all our paywalls - and you’ll be helping to make this community interest company sustainable. Contact andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.
Major Gloucestershire employer, aerospace legend Safran, has said it is confident for the future.
The firm, which has a major landing gear manufacturing plant at Staverton, between Gloucester and Cheltenham, said the sector was in a “positive” place and the future looked bright.
The comments, from its chief executive officer Olivier Andriès, came after the Paris Air Show - and accompanied the French firm’s half-year results.
Andriès said: “The Paris Air Show confirmed the sector’s underlying trends and underscored the promising growth outlook for both civil aerospace and defence.
“Reflecting this positive environment, Safran delivered excellent results in the first half of 2025 achieving a record operating margin of 17 per cent as well as unprecedented cash generation, driven by robust civil engine aftermarket activities.
“In the light of this strong performance, we are raising our full-year guidance on all metrics and reiterate our confidence in our mid-term outlook.
“On the trade front, we welcome the progress made on transatlantic tariff exemption for most aerospace products, and remain vigilant and proactive in managing any residual exposure.
“On July 21, Safran achieved a major strategic milestone with the closing of the acquisition of the Collins Aerospace actuation and flight control business.”
H1 2025 revenue stood at (euros) €14,769 million, up by 13.2 per cent compared to H1 2024 (plus 13.2 per cent on an organic basis).
Everything you read on Raikes is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne; our sponsors Hartpury University and Hartpury College; our Founding Members and all our wonderful paying subscribers. A massive ‘thank you’ to you all for making this community interest company possible. Please do spread the word about what we do and encourage others to sign-up!