Safran to end 12 years of sponsoring the IMOCA Ocean Masters Circuit in June 2017

Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI / Safran

PARIS, 08-Feb-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — After twelve years of commitment on the IMOCA Ocean Masters circuit, three Vendée Globe and numerous podium finishes, the construction of two boats with Marc Guillemot and then Morgan Lagravière, Safran has decided to withdraw from their sailing sponsorship programme in June 2017.

In 2005, Safran embarked on an offshore racing programme to complement the merger of Snecma / Sagem and bring together the Group’s employees around a unifying, inspirational and rewarding project. Twelve years later, Safran has achieved its internal communications objectives, strengthening its employees’ commitment to the brand and consolidating the Group’s values ​​of commitment, innovation and teamwork. Today, the Safran brand has grown in maturity and its employees’ sense of pride is constantly developing.

“Our sailing sponsorship has gone hand in hand with building the Group and has been a key unifying element for our teams for more than 10 years,” Philippe Petitcolin, Managing Director of Safran, said. “We are pleased and proud to have supported Morgan, who is a competitive and talented skipper. We wish him every success in his future projects and are confident that he will be one to watch in offshore racing. We would also like to thank everyone at Kaïros, led by Roland Jourdain in Concarneau, who were exemplary in the technical and logistical management of the boat.”

Morgan Lagravière added: “From the beginning, I knew that my contract ended in June 2017 and that the renewal of the partnership was not a given. I understand Safran’s decision even if I would have liked to continue my journey with them. In the last few years, I have gained a lot of experience on the IMOCA circuit, which I intend to use in new adventures.”

SOURCE: Safran

Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 70,000 employees and generated sales of 17.4 billion euros in 2015. Working independently or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of more than 2 billion euros in 2015. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index, as well as the Euro Stoxx 50 European index.

For more information : www.safran-group.com / Follow @Safran on Twitter.  

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