Zodiac Aerospace
Zodiac Aerospace was a French aerospace group, active from 1896 to 2018, that supplied systems and equipment for aircraft. In October 2018, it was acquired by French aerospace and defense company Safran.
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, and through its participation in the war effort. Until the 1930s, it produced 63 airships.
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 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, 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, which led to the creation of the aerospace segment, and continued its development in marine and aerospace with the acquisitions of Bombard-L'Angevinière, Saylor in 1981 and Superflexit in 1983, as well as the takeover of Parachutes de France. In 1987, Zodiac acquired Air Cruisers, Metzeler, 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 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, ICORE, Avox Systems, C&D Aerospace, Enertec and In-Snec.
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.In November 2007, Olivier Zarrouati succeeded Jean-Louis Gerondeau as Chief Executive Officer.
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, Adder and TIA. Zodiac Aerospace continued its acquisition strategy in cabin interiors as well as in systems. In 2010, the Canadian company Cantwell Cullen & Co and the German company Sell GmbH 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. For several months, Zodiac and Safran squared up in the media. In November 2010, the AMF summoned Safran to clarify its position: its CEO, Jean-Paul Herteman announced in November 2010 that he had given up his plan to acquire Zodiac Aerospace.
Since 2011, Zodiac Aerospace has continued its acquisitions:
- Heath Tecna ;
- Contour Aerospace ;
- IMS ;
- NAT ;
- TriaGnoSys ;
- PPP ;
- Greenpoint Technologies ;
- Enviro Systems.
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. Five individuals were injured as a result of the blast, and people were asked to remain at least 600 meters from the building.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.In May 2017, Safran reduced the amount offered to take Zodiac by $1 billion after Zodiac posted an unfavorable earnings forecast. On 19 October 2018, Safran and Zodiac Aerospace signed an agreement for the latter to merge into Safran.
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", and nine years later it became "Société Française des ballons dirigeables".In 1909, the name Zodiac appeared in the name "Société Française de ballons dirigeables et d'aviation Zodiac", followed in 1911 by "Société Zodiac, anciens Établissements aéronautiques Maurice Mallet".
In 1965, the company changed its name to "Zodiac".
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. 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. This segment comprises 5 divisions, mainly located in Europe and the United States.- 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.
- Zodiac Elastomer designs flexible tanks for aircraft and fuel distribution systems.
- Zodiac Parachute & Protection offers civil and military parachutes.
Zodiac Aircraft Systems
The Zodiac Aircraft Systems segment specializes in onboard systems that provide essential in-flight functions. This segment comprises 7 divisions and is mainly located in Europe and in the United States.- Zodiac Cabin & Cockpit Systems supplies systems for cockpits, internal and external lighting systems and pilot and passenger oxygen systems.
- Zodiac Controls develops measurement sensors and system management solutions.
- Zodiac Electrical Systems specializes in electrical power management systems.
- Zodiac Entertainment & Seat Technologies comprises two parts. Zodiac In-flight Innovations develops and sells onboard entertainment systems and connectivity. Zodiac Actuation Systems produces electric actuators for aircraft seats.
- Zodiac Fluid Management offers solutions for managing fluid circulation.
- Zodiac Water & Waste supplies onboard systems for treating wastewater and garbage.
- Zodiac Data Systems designs telemetry applications and onboard systems for data acquisition and recording. Its products are known under the following brand names: In-Snec, Enertec and HEIM.
Zodiac Galleys and Equipment
- Zodiac Galleys fits out single aisle and twin-aisle kitchen areas of aircraft and rest areas for flight crew.
- Zodiac Galley Inserts supplies kitchen equipment.
- Zodiac Rotable Equipment supplies trolleys and containers for loading baggage and goods into aircraft holds.
Zodiac Cabin & Structures
- Zodiac OEM Cabin Interiors designs, develops and certifies the cabin interiors of commercial and regional aircraft.
- Zodiac Airline Cabin Interiors offers airlines a service for refitting cabin interiors.
- Zodiac Northwest Aerospace Technologies is an engineering company specializing in cabin refit programs and their certification.
- Zodiac Advanced Composites and Engineered Materials supplies composite materials for fitting out cabin interiors.
- Zodiac Business Aircraft Cabin Interiors designs and manufactures cabin interiors for business aircraft.