Figeac Aero

Figeac Aero is a French aerospace equipment subcontractor founded in 1989 by engineer Jean-Claude Maillard. The company began with reported starting capital of €18,000 and developed from a local machining business into an international supplier serving aircraft manufacturers, engine producers, and major aerostructures companies. Its activities include the production of large structural aircraft parts, engine components, precision-machined components, sheet-metal parts, mechanically welded assemblies, surface-treated parts, and larger aircraft sub-assemblies. The group’s expansion has been driven by a combination of internal investment, acquisitions, international sites, and long-term supply agreements. In 1994, it acquired MTI, a company focused on sheet-metal work, mechanical welding, and large-part machining. That transaction broadened Figeac Aero’s manufacturing capabilities, while the company also became an early aerospace subcontractor to adopt speed machining. During the 2000s, Figeac increasingly positioned itself as a specialist in large structural parts. It acquired Mécabrive Industries in 2004, adding machining, surface treatment, and assembly capabilities, and obtained ISO 9001 and EN 9100 certifications in 2006. A major turning point came in 2010, when Airbus selected Figeac Aero to participate in production for the A350 nosecone and engine pylon. The program encouraged the company to deepen its expertise in machining steel, titanium, and Inconel. Figeac also expanded its relationship with Stelia Aerospace, producing detailed parts in Tunisia. In 2012, it established Figeac Aéro Picardie in Méaulte to assemble large aircraft sub-assemblies and began operations through a Tunisian subsidiary. The company became publicly traded in 2013 through an initial public offering on Alternext Paris, now part of Euronext Paris. Its international footprint expanded further in 2014 through the acquisition of a Sonaca production site in Wichita, Kansas. Renamed Figeac Aéro North America, the site provides capabilities including surface treatment, microbead blasting, shot-peen forming, and structures assembly. Figeac also entered significant commercial arrangements with Spirit AeroSystems, VSMPO-AVISMA, and Safran. The Safran relationship included production for CFM LEAP engines and led to investment in a dedicated facility in Figeac. Further growth followed in 2015, with additional Safran work for the CFM LEAP program, an Embraer E-Jets agreement, a subsidiary in Casablanca, a site in Sonora, Mexico, and work for Groupe Latécoère on the Boeing 787. In 2016, Figeac Aero signed a long-term agreement with Stelia valued at $400 million according to the cited reference material. By 2023, the company was described as Europe’s leading aerospace subcontractor in its sector. The cited reference material reports group turnover of €486 million in 2025, although the specific reporting basis and publication context are not otherwise provided here. Figeac Aero’s business model remains centered on supplying complex, high-value components and assemblies to the global aerospace industry, with capabilities spanning machining, forming, treatment, assembly, and program-specific industrialization.

Figeac Aero was established in 1989 by French engineer Jean-Claude Maillard. The company started with reported capital of €18,000 and initially developed as an aerospace machining and subcontracting business. Its first major expansion step came in 1994, when it acquired MTI, a specialist in sheet-metal work, mechanical welding, and large-part machining. The group also adopted speed machining at an early stage of its aerospace-subcontracting development. During the early 2000s, Figeac Aero concentrated on becoming a specialist in large structural aircraft parts. Reported revenue reached €15.4 million in 2002, with operating income of €870,000. In 2004, the group acquired Mécabrive Industries, adding machining, surface treatment, and parts assembly. Figeac Aero obtained ISO 9001 and EN 9100 certifications in 2006, formalizing quality-management and aerospace-industry compliance systems. The company also opened an apprentice training center in 2007 as it expanded its workforce and industrial capabilities. In 2010, Airbus selected Figeac Aero as one of a group of global suppliers for production associated with the A350 nosecone and engine pylon. This work supported the company’s specialization in machining steel, titanium, and Inconel. Stelia Aerospace also selected Figeac for detailed-part manufacturing in Tunisia. In 2012, Figeac founded Figeac Aéro Picardie in Méaulte, in northern France, for the mounting of large aircraft sub-assemblies. Its Tunisian subsidiary also began operations during this period. Figeac Aero entered the public markets in 2013 through an IPO on Alternext Paris, subsequently associated with Euronext Paris. The company’s internationalization accelerated in 2014. It acquired a Sonaca production site in Wichita, Kansas, and renamed the operation Figeac Aéro North America. The site provided surface treatment, microbead blasting, shot-peen forming, and structures-assembly capabilities. The acquisition also increased Figeac’s exposure to North American aerospace programs and US-dollar transactions. The same year brought several important customer and supply-chain agreements. Figeac signed a reported $60 million agreement with Spirit AeroSystems and a cooperation agreement with Russian titanium producer VSMPO-AVISMA. Safran selected the company to manufacture parts for CFM LEAP engines. The Safran program included casings for ferrules and inter-vein shrouds for specified LEAP variants and supported construction of a dedicated 7,500-square-meter facility in Figeac, France. In 2015, Figeac expanded its program portfolio and geographic presence. It signed an additional reported $40 million Safran agreement for titanium segments used in the CFM LEAP program and a reported $230 million agreement with Embraer covering the E-Jets program. The company established a subsidiary in Casablanca, opened a site in Sonora, Mexico, and signed an agreement with Groupe Latécoère involving Boeing 787 work. It also completed a €20 million private placement, which reduced the majority shareholder’s reported ownership from 93% to 88%. In 2016, Figeac Aero signed a reported long-term agreement with Stelia valued at $400 million. By 2023, the company was described in the cited material as Europe’s leading subcontractor in its sector. The company’s reported product scope includes large aircraft parts, engine parts, precision components, and sub-assemblies. The cited reference material reports turnover of €486 million in 2025, but does not provide additional financial methodology or a separately cited company filing in the supplied materials. Figeac Aero is therefore best understood as an active, publicly listed aerospace industrial supplier whose growth has been based on technical specialization, acquisitions, international production, and long-term contracts with major aerospace customers.

• 2016

  Long-term Stelia agreement

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Figeac Aero signed a reported long-term agreement with Stelia valued at $400 million.

• 2015

  Embraer agreement and new international locations

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  The company expanded its Safran work, signed an Embraer E-Jets agreement, and established or opened operations in Casablanca and Sonora.

• 2014

  North American expansion and LEAP program

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Figeac Aero acquired the Wichita production site of Sonaca, renamed it Figeac Aéro North America, and was selected by Safran for CFM LEAP engine component production.

• 2013

  Initial public offering

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  The company listed on Alternext Paris, now part of Euronext Paris.

• 2012

  Picardie and Tunisia expansion

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Figeac Aero founded Figeac Aéro Picardie in Méaulte for large aircraft sub-assembly mounting and began operations through its Tunisian subsidiary.

• 2010

  A350 program selection

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Airbus selected Figeac Aero for work connected with the A350 nosecone and engine pylon, supporting further specialization in steel, titanium, and Inconel machining.

• 2006

  Aerospace quality certifications

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Figeac Aero obtained ISO 9001 and EN 9100 certifications.

• 2004

  Acquisition of Mécabrive Industries

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition added machining, surface treatment, and parts-assembly capabilities.

• 1994

  Acquisition of MTI

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Figeac Aero acquired MTI, expanding into sheet-metal work, mechanical welding, and large-part machining.

• 1989

  Company founded

  [1]Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org

  Engineer Jean-Claude Maillard founded Figeac Aero in France with reported starting capital of €18,000.

An international aerospace subcontractor focused on complex metal components and assemblies for aircraft structures and engines. Figeac Aero positions itself through large-part machining, precision manufacturing, metal-forming and treatment capabilities, program-level industrialization, and production proximity to major aerospace customers.

• Aircraft structures

  Large structural aircraft parts

  Figeac Aero manufactures large structural components used in commercial aircraft programs. Its capabilities include large-part machining and the production or mounting of major structural elements. The company’s work on the Airbus A350 nosecone and engine pylon helped establish its position in this area.

• Aircraft engines · 2014

  CFM LEAP engine components

  Through agreements associated with Safran and the CFM LEAP engine program, Figeac Aero produces specified metallic engine components, including ferrule casings, inter-vein shrouds, and titanium segments for selected LEAP variants.

• Aerospace machining

  Precision-machined parts

  Precision machining is a core Figeac Aero capability. The company works with aerospace metals including steel, titanium, and Inconel, supplying parts for aircraft structures, engines, and other aerospace systems.

• Aircraft assembly · 2012

  Aircraft sub-assemblies

  The group provides assembly-related services for larger aircraft structures. Its Figeac Aéro Picardie operation in Méaulte was established to mount large aircraft sub-assemblies, complementing its machining and component-manufacturing activities.

• Aerospace finishing

  Surface-treated and formed components

  Figeac Aero’s capabilities include surface treatment, microbead blasting, shot-peen forming, sheet-metal work, and mechanically welded parts. These processes are particularly associated with its North American operations and support the manufacture and finishing of aerospace structures.

• 2016

  Long-term Stelia agreementStrategy

  Background

  Figeac Aero continued building long-term relationships with major aerostructures customers.

  Action taken

  The company signed a long-term agreement with Stelia.

  Aftermath

  The agreement reinforced Figeac Aero’s position as a recurring supplier to the commercial aerospace manufacturing chain.

  Reported contract value. $400 million (2016 long-term agreement)

  Source

• 2015

  Expansion of LEAP and E-Jets programsProduct launch

  Background

  Figeac Aero continued expanding its portfolio of long-term aerospace programs.

  Action taken

  The company signed additional Safran work for titanium LEAP segments and an agreement with Embraer for E-Jets components.

  Aftermath

  The agreements broadened Figeac Aero’s exposure across engine and airframe programs.

  Reported contract values. $40 million Safran agreement; $230 million Embraer agreement (2015)

  Source

• 2015

  International production expansionStrategy

  Background

  Figeac Aero sought to support international customer programs through geographically distributed production.

  Action taken

  It founded a subsidiary in Casablanca and opened a site in Sonora, Mexico, while also expanding relationships with Groupe Latécoère.

  Aftermath

  The group increased its manufacturing footprint in North Africa and North America and added work related to the Boeing 787.

  Source

• 2014

  Acquisition of Sonaca Wichita siteM&A

  Background

  Figeac Aero pursued international manufacturing capacity and greater access to North American aerospace programs.

  Action taken

  It acquired a Sonaca production site in Wichita, Kansas, and renamed the operation Figeac Aéro North America.

  Aftermath

  The site added surface-treatment, forming, and structures-assembly capabilities and increased the group’s North American presence.

  Source

• 2014

  Safran CFM LEAP production agreementProduct launch

  Background

  Safran selected Figeac Aero as a supplier for components used in the CFM LEAP engine program.

  Action taken

  Figeac Aero committed to producing specified LEAP engine components and planned a dedicated 7,500-square-meter facility in Figeac.

  Aftermath

  The agreement strengthened the company’s role in engine-component manufacturing and supported dedicated industrial capacity.

  Reported contract value. $500 million (10-year agreement announced in 2014)

  Source

• 2013

  Public-market listingOther

  Background

  Figeac Aero sought access to public capital as its aerospace subcontracting business expanded.

  Action taken

  The company completed an IPO on Alternext Paris, now associated with Euronext Paris.

  Aftermath

  The listing created a public-market structure while the majority shareholder retained control according to the cited reference.

  IPO share price. €9.20 per share (2013 IPO)

  Source

1. 1Figeac Aeroen.wikipedia.org