Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced by Rolls-Royce and
Hispano-Suiza (Safran) on July 4, 2014, Norbert Arndt, Rolls-Royce Executive Vice
President, Structures and Transmissions, and Hélène Moreau-Leroy, Chairman and
CEO of Hispano-Suiza, have signed a final agreement to create a jointly-owned
company that will design, develop, produce and support accessory drive train
transmissions (ADT) for all of Rolls-Royce’s future civil aircraft engines.
The new company will capitalize on its parent companies’ combined experience and
expertise, encompassing the design and production of accessory drive transmissions by
Hispano-Suiza, and engine design and propulsion system integration by Rolls-Royce.
Based on an initial exclusive 25-year contract, the joint company will cover the entire range
of civil aircraft, from business jets to widebody commercial jets. In particular, it will contribute
to the Airbus A330neo, a new aircraft for which Rolls-Royce won the engine contract in July
2014 with its Trent 7000.
The new joint venture company will be headquartered at Hispano-Suiza’s site in Colombes,
in the greater Paris area, and will also operate at Rolls-Royce’s facilities in Derby (United
Kingdom) and in Dahlewitz (Germany).
A production plant will be built in a competitive country starting in 2015, with the aim of
starting operations in late 2016 or early 2017. The joint venture company will initially total
about 180 employees, including staff from its parent companies.
«With each parent company contributing its world-class skills to this joint venture, we have
taken a major step forward in performance,» said Norbert Arndt, Rolls-Royce Executive Vice
President, Structures and Transmissions. «Our aim is to meet the requirements of our
customers, both aircraft-makers and airlines, by giving them outstanding, cost-competitive
products.»
Hélène Moreau-Leroy, Chairman and CEO of Hispano-Suiza, added: «For both Rolls-Royce
and Hispano-Suiza, the creation of this joint venture marks a major step towards the
consolidation of our historical relationship within a long-term partnership, and enables us to
stake out a position on new aircraft programs. It will also provide exciting new opportunities
for our employees.»
Subject to approval of this agreement by the regulatory authorities, the joint venture will start
operation in early 2015.
