Among the advantages Nexcelle brings for its development and production of integrated propulsion systems are resources of our parent companies – Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems.
Their global network of facilities was further expanded with this month’s opening of a new facility in Xi’an, China, created through the SAVI joint venture of Aircelle and the Chinese AVIC Group’s XAIC (Xi’an Aircraft International Corporation) subsidiary.
The new SAVI installation has a direct relationship to Nexcelle’s supplier role for the nacelle and thrust reverser on the Chinese C919 jetliner’s integrated propulsion system, as this facility will provide the final assembly of many of the major nacelle and thrust reverser systems on the C919.
Initially, SAVI will be involved in certain major legacy programs for Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems. Production of subsystems for these programs will help establish procedures and methods in advance of C919 nacelle work being assigned to the Xi’an facility.
The current SAVI installation at Xi’an covers more than 7,000 sq. meters on three floors, with workshops and production areas representing over 5,000 sq. meters of the total area. And this is simply the first step, as expansion plans include facilities that more than double this space.
SAVI reflects the importance that Aircelle, Middle River Aircraft Systems and their parent organizations – Safran and GE Aviation – place in building relationships in the Chinese market.
I was pleased to attend the SAVI grand opening event at Xi’an. I also had the opportunity to meet with many of the members of the SAVI leadership team who already are on location to develop the facility’s operations. Having known SAVI General Manager Gerard Lavigne through a prior business relationship, I have great confidence this will be a world-class operation.
I look forward to seeing the first production assemblies being delivered from SAVI in Xi’an!
