Editing Safran Landing Systems

{{Short description|French landing gear manufacturer}}
{{Distinguish|Dowty Rotol}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Safran Landing Systems
| logo = Messier-Bugatti-Dowty logo.png
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| key_people = François Bastin ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.safran-group.com/companies/safran-landing-systems |title=CEO |access-date=5 August 2024 |publisher=Safran }}</ref><br/>Gilles Bouctot ([[Chief operating officer|COO]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?article696 |title= COO |access-date=24 February 2012 |publisher=Messier-Bugatti-Dowty |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911172049/http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?article696 |archive-date=11 September 2012 }}</ref>
| industry = [[Aerospace]], [[Defense contractor|Defence]]
| products = Aircraft landing gear, wheels and brakes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?rubrique3&lang=en |title=Activities |access-date=24 February 2012 |publisher=Messier-Bugatti-Dowty |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908104532/http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?rubrique3&lang=en |archive-date=8 September 2012 }}</ref>
| revenue = €5.415 billion (2017) <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.safran-group.com/sites/group/files/2017_results_en-vdef.pdf |access-date=20 February 2018 |publisher=Safran SA |title=Full Year 2017 Earnings}}</ref>
| operating_income = €682 million
| net_income = €668 million
| num_employees = 7,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safran-group.com/company/messier-bugatti-dowty?shadowbox=1 |title=Worldwide presence |access-date=24 February 2016 |publisher=Messier-Bugatti-Dowty}}</ref>
| parent = [[Safran]]
| subsid = 
| website = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes = 
| foundation = {{start date and age|2011}}
| location = [[Vélizy]], France|
}}

'''Safran Landing Systems''', formerly '''Messier-Bugatti-Dowty''', is the world's largest manufacturer of aircraft [[landing gear]], and is involved in the design, development, manufacture and customer support of all types of aircraft landing gear, wheels and brakes. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Safran|Safran SA]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-23/safran-landing-gear-unit-poised-to-benefit-from-widebody-demand.html |title=Safran Messier-Dowty Landing Gear Unit Set to Benefit From Widebody Demand |access-date=24 February 2012 |publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] |date=23 September 2010}}</ref> It is based in [[Vélizy, France]], and was founded in 2011.

The company can be traced to the establishment of a 50/50 [[joint venture]] in 1995 between France's [[SNECMA|Messier]] and the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Dowty Group]], then owned by [[TI Group]]. Messier-Dowty was purchased outright from TI Group by the [[SNECMA]] group in 1998. The 2005 merger of [[SAGEM]] and SNECMA made Messier-Dowty part of the new ''Safran'' company. In May 2011, ''Messier-Bugatti-Dowty'' was formed through the merger of three Safran subsidiaries: Messier-Dowty, Messier-Bugatti and Messier Services. In May 2016, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty became ''Safran Landing Systems''.

Safran Landing Systems operates a number of sites across the globe, in Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico and the United States; workshare is divided between these locations, each one typically specialising in an aspect of landing gear design, manufacture and support. Its main headquarters is located in [[Vélizy]], outside [[Paris]]. The company's projects are divided into two business units: ''Airbus & European Programs'' and ''Boeing & North American Programs''.

==History==
The origins of the company dates back to the formation of a 50/50 joint venture between the France-based [[SNECMA|Messier]] and the United Kingdom-based [[Dowty Group]], then owned by [[TI Group]], in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m368_en.pdf |title = Case No IV/M.368SNECMA / TI |publisher = [[European Commission]] |date = 17 January 1994}}</ref> That same year, the company announced its intentions to develop a universal landing gear platform that would be shared between multiple [[airliner]]s; the aim of such commonality was a 20-40% reduction in the cost of the landing gear to manufacturers and end customers.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-plans-to-lower-cost-of-landing-gear-for-airbus/13632.article |title = Messier-Dowty plans to lower cost of landing gear for Airbus |publisher = Flight International |first = Andrew |last = Doyle |date = 22 November 1995}}</ref> According to Tony Edwards, the chief executive and chairman of the merged entity, while acknowledging the new entity had been experiencing some difficulties due to a lack of preparation, he regarded it as being: "a successful example of European integration that works".<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/dowty-shows-benefits-of-eurobonding/2770.article |title = Dowty shows benefits of Eurobonding |publisher = Flight Global |date = 15 June 1997}}</ref> During early 1998, Messier-Dowty was purchased outright from TI Group by the [[SNECMA]] group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/snecma-lands-in-full-control-of-messier-dowty-as-ti-sells-out/18809.article |title=Snecma lands in full control of Messier-Dowty as TI sells out |publisher=[[Flight International]] |date=17 December 1997 |access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref>

During 1998, the company decided to invest $30 million in the creation of a new US subsidiary, known as ''A-Carb'', to produce [[Reinforced carbon–carbon|carbon brake]]s for both [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]] airliners.<ref name = "flight droprig98"/> That same year, Messier-Dowty and ''Messier Bugatti'' teamed up to form a new SNECMA-held subsidiary, ''Messier Services'', which specialised in delivering the maintenance of both landing gear systems and brake units.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-services/21938.article |title = Messier Services |publisher = Flight International |date = 15 July 1998}}</ref> During late 1998, Messier-Dowty announced that, to support future product development and testing efforts, it was planning to construct the world's largest landing gear drop test rig at its facility in [[Toulouse]], France.<ref name = "flight droprig98">{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-plans-giant-drop-rig/23257.article |title = Messier-Dowty plans giant drop rig |publisher = Flight International |date = 16 September 1998}}</ref>

In 1999, Messier-Dowty announced plans to create a design office in [[Seattle]], [[United States|America]], as part of an effort to work closely with [[Boeing]] on both its civil and military programmes.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/seattle-landing/26932.article |title = Seattle landing |publisher = Flight International |date = 16 June 1999}}</ref> That same year, it was announced that a new manufacturing facility would be established in [[Singapore]] as a joint venture between [[Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing]] and Messier-Dowty.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/singapore-site-for-new-gear-jv/29459.article |title = Singapore site for new gear JV |publisher = Flight International |date = 17 September 1999}}</ref> In June 2001, Messier-Dowty was awarded a $2.9 million contract for research into the field of low-noise landing gear; this deal was a part of the ''SILENCE(R)'' initiative, a four-year European effort launched to improve the environmental qualities of commercial aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/hush-please-messier-dowty-quest-for-quieter-landing-gear-/37947.article |title = Hush please! Messier-Dowty quest for quieter landing gear |publisher = Flight International |first = Geoff |last = Thomas |date = 18 June 2001}}</ref> During 2002, the company opened the world's largest landing gear test centre in [[Gloucester]], England.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/new-messier-dowty-test-centre-is-world-beater-/43823.article |title = New Messier-Dowty test centre is world-beater |publisher = Flight International |date = 22 July 2002}}</ref>

In February 2004, Messier-Dowty officially opened its new Chinese production facility in the city of [[Suzhou]]; it was the first Chinese operation to be wholly owned by a SNECMA company.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-sets-up-shop-in-china/53799.article |title = Messier-Dowty sets up shop in China |publisher = Flight International |date = 25 February 2004}}</ref> Around this period, the company won several key bids; in February, it secured a deal to provide the main landing gear for the [[Airbus A400M]]; in March, it was appointed to supply both the main and nose gear of the [[Boeing 787]], as well as the integrated landing gear of the [[Sukhoi Superjet 100]] in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-gets-into-top-gear/55700.article |title = Messier-Dowty gets into top gear |publisher = Flight International |date = 20 July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-secures-rrj-landing-gear/51283.article |title = Messier-Dowty secures RRJ landing gear |publisher = Flight International |date = 4 November 2003}}</ref> In 2010, Messier-Dowty became the first company in the world to incorporate [[composite material|composite]] braces onto the main landing gear of a commercial aircraft, this being the Boeing 787.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/farnborough-first-composite-landing/95008.article |title = Farnborough: First composite landing |publisher = Flight International |first = Alan |last = Peaford |date = 23 July 2010}}</ref>

The 2005 merger of [[SAGEM]] and SNECMA made Messier-Dowty part of the new ''Safran'' company.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/obituary-jean-paul-bechat-the-industrialist-who-steered-the-safran-merger/115283.article |title = Obituary: Jean-Paul Bechat, the industrialist who steered the Safran merger |publisher = Flight International |first = Murdo |last = Morrison |date = 3 December 2014}}</ref> During December 2007, [[Airbus]] announced that ''Messier-Dowty'' had been confirmed as the supplier for the main landing gear of the upcoming [[Airbus A350 XWB]]; under this arrangement, it was responsible for the design, development, qualification testing, manufacturing and in-service support of the main gear.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-lands-gear-contract-for-airbus-a350xwb/77835.article |title = Messier-Dowty lands gear contract for Airbus A350XWB |publisher = Flight International |date = 14 December 2007}}</ref> In the following year, the firm invested around C$2 million in the introduction of robotic surface finishing of its landing gear outer fittings at its plant in [[Mirabel, Quebec]], [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-dowty-to-adopt-robot-surface-finishing-for-landing-gear/80894.article |title = Messier Dowty to adopt robot surface finishing for landing gear |publisher = Flight International |first = Rob |last = Coppinger |date = 10 June 2008}}</ref>

In March 2010, Messier-Dowty opened a new undercarriage components factory in [[Querétaro]], [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/safran-mexico-idINN1718361120100317?pageNumber=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306111334/http://in.reuters.com/article/safran-mexico-idINN1718361120100317?pageNumber=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Mexico eyes aerospace growth as Safran opens plants |access-date=18 March 2010 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=24 September 2010}}</ref> The facility was part of a larger deal between Safran and the local Mexican government; expansion into the production of increasingly advanced components was seen at the time as being highly likely.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/safran-looks-to-further-expand-mexican-operation/85609.article |title = Safran looks to further expand Mexican operation |publisher = Flight International |first = Rob |last = Coppinger |date = 10 June 2008}}</ref>

In May 2011, ''Messier-Bugatti-Dowty'' was formed through the merger of three Safran subsidiaries: Messier-Dowty, Messier-Bugatti and Messier Services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?rubrique25&lang=en|title=About the merger |access-date=24 February 2012 |publisher=Messier-Bugatti-Dowty |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908140518/http://www.safranmbd.com/spip.php?rubrique25&lang=en |archive-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> During 2014, the firm became the sole owner of French joint-venture maintenance company ''Hydrep'' after acquiring the other 50% share formerly held by [[Sabena Technics]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/messier-bugatti-dowty-to-take-over-mro-venture-hydrep/114050.article |title = Messier-Bugatti-Dowty to take over MRO venture Hydrep |publisher = Flight International |date = 29 July 2014}}</ref> In May 2016, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty became ''Safran Landing Systems''.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.safran-landing-systems.com/media/20160519_messier-bugatti-dowty-becomes-safran-landing-systems |title = Messier-Bugatti-Dowty becomes Safran Landing Systems |publisher = Safran Landing Systems |date = 19 May 2016}}</ref>

==Operations==
[[Image:A400M landing gear P1220828.jpg|thumb|Landing gear for the [[Airbus A400M]]]]
Safran Landing Systems has operational sites across the globe. The sites are located in Asia (Singapore, Seremban, Suzhou), Europe (Vélizy, Molsheim, Bidos, Villeurbanne, Gloucester, Feyzin), Canada (Ajax, Montreal), Mexico (Querétaro) and United States (Walton, Seattle).  The main headquarters is located in [[Vélizy]], outside [[Paris]]. Each site is responsible for certain aspects of landing gear design, manufacture and support.

* [[Bidos]]: responsible for the production of large components (bogies, main fittings, integral axles) for large commercial, business, commuter aircraft and helicopter gears.
* [[Gloucester]]: Design, research and systems integration together with manufacturing capability. This site is focused on the manufacture of complex major structural components such as main fittings and bogies for large commercial aircraft together with main fittings and large components for military and commuter aircraft platforms. The Gloucester site is also home to one of the largest landing gear test facilities in the western world, capable of the structural and systems testing of large commercial landing gears.
* [[Molsheim]]: wheels manufacturing, special processing, assembly equipment and MRO
* [[Montreal]]: manufacturing, heat treatment, special processing and assembly equipment
* [[Querétaro]]: manufacturing of major landing gear components for: [[Airbus A320 family|A320]] main landing gear fitting, [[Airbus A330|A330]] main landing gear bogie beam and [[Boeing 787|B787]] nose landing gear inner cylinder.
* [[Ajax, Ontario]]: design and development of fully integrated landing gear systems.  It also focuses on ancillary systems such as steering control, landing gear control and indication, emergency control, brake control, wheels, brakes, tires, door mechanisms and electrical harnesses.  This site is the final assembly area where landing gear systems for many aircraft are fully assembled and tested before shipping to the customer. It has test facilities for development and certification.
* [[Seattle]]: engineering and manufacturing site, focusing on the Boeing 787. The office provides Engineering and Program support to the 787 program, while the manufacturing facility final-assembles the 787 Main Landing Gears.
* [[Seremban]]: Carbon brake manufacturing
* [[Suzhou]]: manufacturing landing gear components of medium size for business and regional jet programs
* [[Singapore]]: procurement and customer support base and MRO for the Asia Pacific region
* [[Villeurbanne]]: Carbon brake manufacturing
* [[Walton, Kentucky|Walton]]: Carbon brake and wheel manufacturing
*Feyzin : Carbon brake manufacturing

==See also==
*[[George Dowty]]
*[[Dowty Group]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%200584.html "British Messier"] a 1954 ''Flight'' advertisement illustrating the undercarriage supplied for the [[Bristol Britannia]]

{{Messier-Bugatti-Dowty}}
{{Safran}}
{{Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom}}
{{Dowty Group}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Companies based in Paris-Saclay]]
[[Category:Aircraft undercarriage manufacturers]]
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[[Category:French companies established in 2011]]
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