Zodiac Aerospace was a French aerospace group, active from 1896 to 2018, that supplied systems and equipment for aircraft.[2] In October 2018, it was acquired by French aerospace and defense company Safran.[3]
History
Aeronautic foundations (1896–1933)
The company was founded in 1896 as "Mallet, Mélandri et de Pitray" by Maurice Mallet and his associates. In the beginning, the company produced hydrogen balloons for sport and tourism.
In 1909, the company changed its name to "Zodiac". It then experienced a boom fueled by the construction of airplanes and airships, especially for the Aérostation Maritime (Naval Balloon Command), and through its participation in the war effort. Until the 1930s, it produced 63 airships.[4]
Marine activities (1934–1972)
In 1934, the company created the first prototype inflatable boats, ancestors of the renowned "Zodiac", which would contribute to the development of the civil and military inflatable boat industry. The company benefited from the boom in leisure activities after World War II, as well as the French interest in recreational boating in the 1960s. Zodiac developed inflatable boats for the civil market and gradually gave up the airship market for the more promising water sports market. Zodiac honored a contract in 1966 with CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales - National Centre for Space Studies) for the production of a meteorological balloon, in the scope of the EOLE project. At the end of the 1960s, Zodiac reorganized and set up its first sales operation for exporting its products overseas more easily. In 1964 it opened its first subsidiary in Spain - "Zodiac Española" - followed by "Zodiac North America" in 1970.
Group internationalization (1973–1989)
At the beginning of the 1970s, Zodiac experienced financial difficulties. Spurred on by its new CEO, Jean-Louis Gerondeau, and with the support of shareholders and the IDI (Institute pour le Development Industrial - French Institute for Industrial Development), the Group recovered by 1977. In 1983, Zodiac was the first company to be listed on the 'Second Market' of the Paris Stock Exchange. The firm conducted an international development policy and increases its acquisitions, thereby enabling it to position itself in niche markets on a global scale. In 1978, it acquired Aérazur Constructions Aéronautiques and thus re-entered the aerospace market. In 1979, it acquired EFA (Parachutes), which led to the creation of the aerospace segment, and continued its development in marine and aerospace with the acquisitions of Bombard-L'Angevinière (ranked second in inflatable boats), Saylor (leading French producer of light PVC inflatable structures) in 1981 and Superflexit (flexible tanks) in 1983, as well as the takeover of Parachutes de France (sport parachutes). In 1987, Zodiac acquired Air Cruisers (leader in evacuation slides), Metzeler (inflatable boats), B. Kern, and Europol in 1988, it acquired Pioneer, at the time the second American manufacturer of deceleration and engine braking recovery systems through parachutes.
Development of aerospace businesses (1990–2006)
In the 1990s, the Group continued its acquisitions, strengthening its aerospace business. In 1998, Monogram Systems (onboard water and waste management) joined, as did the Inter technique Group in 1999. The latter acquisition significantly increased the aerospace share in the Group's business and later enabled the creation of the Aircraft Systems segment, specializing in on-board systems.
From 2002 to 2006, Zodiac successively acquired ESCO (emergency arresting systems), ICORE (cable protection and interconnect systems), Avox Systems (oxygen systems), C&D Aerospace (cabin interiors), Enertec and In-Snec (telemetry and data recording).
Split and refocus on aerospace (2007–2018)
In September 2007, the Zodiac Group sold its Marine business to a holding company, 72% owned by the American Group Carlyle with 28% being retained by Zodiac, thus creating Zodiac Marine and Pool.[5] In November 2007, Olivier Zarrouati succeeded Jean-Louis Gerondeau as Chief Executive Officer.[6]
At the beginning of 2008, the Group was renamed Zodiac Aerospace and adopted a new logo. At the end of 2008, Zodiac Aerospace strengthened its position in the cabin interiors segment by acquiring the Dutch company Driessen (leading manufacturer of galleys for single-aisle aircraft and trolleys), Adder (cabin separators) and TIA (electrical equipment for galleys, mainly for the business aircraft market). Zodiac Aerospace continued its acquisition strategy in cabin interiors as well as in systems. In 2010, the Canadian company Cantwell Cullen & Co (cabling and interconnect systems) and the German company Sell GmbH (galleys for wide-bodied aircraft) joined the Group.
The year 2010 was marked by a takeover bid for Zodiac Aerospace by the French Group Safran. At the beginning of July 2010, Zodiac Aerospace announced that it had been officially approached by Safran and that, having examined Safran's proposal, its Supervisory Board had unanimously decided not to pursue it.
Explosion
On Tuesday, 14 July 2015, an explosion occurred in a prepreg treater at Zodiac Aerospace's Engineered Materials Plant in Newport, Washington, United States.[9] Five individuals were injured as a result of the blast,[10] and people were asked to remain at least 600 meters from the building.[11][12]
Acquisition by Safran
On 19 January 2017, Safran announced a deal to buy Zodiac at €29.47 per share in cash, with a deal total of almost €10 billion ($10.5 billion).[13] In May 2017, Safran reduced the amount offered to take Zodiac by $1 billion after Zodiac posted an unfavorable earnings forecast.[14] On 19 October 2018, Safran and Zodiac Aerospace signed an agreement for the latter to merge into Safran.[15]
Zodiac Aerospace brand
When it was founded in 1896, the company was called "Mallet, Mélandri et de Pitray". It changed its name several times during the course of its history. In 1899, it became "Ateliers de constructions aéronautiques Maurice Mallet" (Maurice Mallet aerospace construction workshops), and nine years later it became "Société Française des ballons dirigeables" ("French company of balloons and dirigibles"). In 1909, the name Zodiac (with an English spelling) appeared in the name "Société Française de ballons dirigeables et d'aviation Zodiac" ("French company of balloons, dirigibles, and aviation, Zodiac"), followed in 1911 by "Société Zodiac, anciens Établissements aéronautiques Maurice Mallet" ("Zodiac Company, formerly Maurice Mallet aeronautical establishments"). In 1965, the company changed its name to "Zodiac" (english spelling). The name Zodiac is associated with the inflatable boats that were developed after the Second World War and made famous by the explorations of Jacques Cousteau and the experiences of intentional castaway Alain Bombard. For this reason, when the Zodiac Group sold its Marine business in 2007, the Zodiac brand was also sold. In accordance with the agreements signed with the acquiring company, the Group took the name of "Zodiac Aerospace", which emphasized its refocus on aerospace. This name change was accompanied by the creation of a new logo.
Organization
Zodiac Aerospace provides equipment for commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, and business aircraft as well as helicopters and spacecraft.[16] The Group consists of 5 operational segments, supported by a service activity.
Zodiac Aerosafety
Zodiac Aerosafety brings together businesses that develop on-board and ground safety systems as well as protection and rescue solutions.[17] This segment comprises 5 divisions, mainly located in Europe and the United States. Zodiac Arresting Systems (EMASMAX®)
- Zodiac Arresting Systems develops emergency arresting systems including the EMASMAX product, which helps to secure civil airport runways.
- Zodiac Evacuation Systems offers rescue systems such as inflatable lifejackets, evacuation slides and emergency flotation systems for helicopters.
- Zodiac Interconnect specializes in cable protection and interconnect systems.
Governance and management
Zodiac Aerospace Group is a Limited Company with an Executive Board and a Supervisory Board. It is managed by the Executive Board, chaired by Olivier Zarrouati and by the Executive Committee. The Supervisory Board is chaired by Didier Domange.
Markets and strategy
The products and systems developed by Zodiac Aerospace mainly address the civil aerospace market.[23] They break down into two categories: [24] This development is based both on organic growth as well as growth by acquisition.
- SFE (Supplier-Furnished Equipment) products: Equipment supplied by the aircraft manufacturer, which is selected by aircraft manufacturers at the beginning of a program and is then fitted into all aircraft produced.
- BFE (Buyer-Furnished Equipment) products: Equipment supplied by the aircraft buyer, which is selected by airlines to fit out their new aircraft or as a replacement for equipment on older aircraft.
Innovation
Zodiac Aerospace takes part in research and innovation programs that bring together various industry players. Zodiac Aerospace also supports innovation through the Jean-Louis Gerondeau Award, created four years ago to reward undergraduates or PhD students of the Ecole Polytechnique, championing a business creation project and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.[27][28]
Key figures
Zodiac Aerospace's fiscal year starts on 1 September and ends on 31 August.[29][30]
Corporate social responsibility
Philanthropy
For many years, Zodiac Aerospace has been supporting the Petits Princes association at Group level.[33] The Group also provides support for projects that encourage scientific research, as with "Wings for Science" in 2012 for example. Subsidiaries also support local initiatives, mainly in the fields of health and education.
Wings for Science
Since 2012, the Group has been supporting the ORA (Observer Relever Analyser - Observe Record Analyze) association through the supply of equipment.[34] The objective of this project is to make a light aircraft available to research laboratories to support scientific work and to inspire young people. In June 2013, the aircraft was displayed at Le Bourget during the Paris Air Show.[35]
Local initiatives
References
- Le bénéfice de Zodiac Aerospace chute de 40% BFM Business, 2016-11-22, retrieved 11 January 2017^
- Zodiac Aerospace Forbes, retrieved 2023-08-19^
- Six years after snub, France's Safran bags seatmaker Zodiac Reuters, 2017-01-19, retrieved 2023-08-19