Who are Collins Aerospace?
An American company, Collins Aerospace is the result of a series of mergers and acquisitions. Founded in 2018 following the merger of two companies: Rockwell Collins, specialist in electronic systems and communications; and United Technologies Corporation (UTC), an industrial conglomerate working across the aeronautical, energy and other industrial sectors. The resultant company has become one of the major suppliers of avionics solutions, communication systems and data management for the commercial and military aeronautical sectors.
In which sector does the company operate?
Collins Aerospace sets out to be a world-leader in the aerospace field. Its capacity to design, make and maintain essential components and systems in the commercial, business and military as well as space fields, sets it out from others in the sector.
Why choose Normandy?
The 1950s saw the opening of the Collins Aerospace site at Saint-Marce in the Eure county of Normandy. This is considered by the company to be the nerve-centre of its operations in France. It specialises in the production and maintenance of servo-commands, hydraulic systems and fuel systems for the aeronautical industry, especially for fighter planes.
“It’s…here in Normandy that we’re meeting the challenges for French industry and future generations.”
The site’s Director-General, Jean-Marie Carvalho
The choice of Normandy is based on the fact that the region has many strengths in the aerospace sector, with the presence of a competitiveness hub (NAE) playing a key role within Normandy, as well as the proximity of key stakeholders in the sector, such as Airbus, Thales and Dassault Aviation.
A strong regional assistance:
With help from AD Normandie, Collins Aerospace has been able to benefit from financial assistance aimed at restructuring and modernising its production lines. The Normandy Regional Council provided €200 000 specifically earmarked for R&D, as well as the automation and digitalisation of the production process. This met the ambitions of the company,
“We need to embrace the digital era to make factories more modern, more performant because they are more connected to their environment.”
as Jean-Marie Carvalho indicates
This financial aide demonstrates the commitment of the Normandy Regional Council to support the development and the competitiveness of the local aerospace industry.
What is the future for Collins Aerospace in Normandy?
The investment will be phased over a four-year period, will include the creation of the latest generation flight equipment and will see job creation throughout this period. In 2022, 30 jobs were created. The site will also see the installation of a new surface treatment line, to conform with the European REACH regulations, which aim to protect human health and the environment by reducing the risks linked to chemical products. Collins Aerospace has a promising future in Normandy, targeting innovation and development.
The length of time that Collins Aerospace has been in Normandy demonstrates the strike force of the region in the aerospace sector and the new opportunities available here.