Global aeronautics manufacturer expands Manatee facility

Safran Electrical & Power, a division of the global aerospace, aeronautical and defense manufacturer Safran, has completed an expansion of its existing south Manatee County operation.

It has grown to 140,000 square feet from 125,000 square feet.

Tucked away on Whitfield Avenue just off U.S. Highway 301 in Manatee County, right past the border with Sarasota County, the Safran manufacturing facility designs and builds a wide array of components for the aerospace, defense and industrial sectors, including commercial airlines.

Among the components it produces are electrical power generation systems, conversion and protection components and aircraft emergency systems. It also offers maintenance for electrical generators, power electronics and lithium battery systems and is equipped with enhanced engineering and service infrastructure.

According to the company, the expansion enables Safran Electrical & Power to “manage the entire lifecycle of its electrical systems in Sarasota, covering research and technology, development, qualification, manufacturing, and extended maintenance support.”

The facility, which employs about 300, has been operating since 1978 and was bought by Safran from Eaton Corp.

While Paris-based Safran is also in the defense and space markets, its history is in aviation. Its roots trace back to 1896. when the company Mallet, Mélandri et de Pitray, which produced the first airship for sports and tourism activities, was founded.

Today Safran’s products include propulsion, equipment and interiors for aircraft makers, including Boeing and Airbus. As one company executive said at an unveiling of the expansion Wednesday, the company makes every piece of an airplane except the fuselage.

Safran’s revenue for 2025 was $35.4 billion.

Its U.S. division has locations in 25 states and employees about 11,000. As for the Safran Electrical & Power division, it employs 15,000 employees in 13 countries.