Behind every transformation lies a real story. We spoke with Safran Electrical & Power to retrace their journey with CIMPA, from early challenges to concrete results, and to highlight how our collaboration helped shape their path forward.
Context
Safran Electrical & Power (SEP), specialising in aircraft electrical systems, set out to modernise its manufacturing operations. The goal was to connect thousands of machines across multiple sites and use data to improve efficiency and quality. At the start of this activity, there was no dedicated team and local initiatives on production sites not standardised: only the belief that digital connectivity was necessary for the company’s future.
Starting out with a new initiative
When SEP embarked on its digital transformation journey, there was the ambition to create a Center Of Competence, with a strong conviction that digital connectivity was essential for the future. “We were sketching the vision while already walking,” the team recalls. Early days blurred together, driven by the urgency to show real progress, not just slides and plans.
Meeting CIMPA: More than Consulting
At this pivotal moment, SEP mandated CIMPA to help clarify needs, challenge assumptions, and create space to make thoughtful decisions. CIMPA, with its expertise in manufacturing, worked alongside SEP’s team. “CIMPA didn’t come in with a fixed idea. They helped us formalise our needs and make the space to decide well. It helped us grow. Having a consulting partner like that gave us the confidence to lead,” the team shares.
CIMPA quickly became part of the team. Their pragmatic and responsive approach built trust across departments, from IT to operations. Team members even assumed CIMPA consultants were internal colleagues, a testament to their integration and the trust they inspired.
Building while flying: Facing real-world challenges
The work was hands-on and fast-paced. Together, they tackled questions like: Should architecture be centralised or localised? What should be standardised, and what should remain flexible? CIMPA guided the team in making decisions grounded in SEP’s real constraints and ambitions—not just theoretical best practices.
CIMPA also helped shape the process for choosing integration partners, focusing on mindset and long-term compatibility over polished presentations. “There was something very CIMPA in that: the way they helped us clarify, test, and stay grounded. That saved us months”, the team notes.
Transformation in practice: growing together
As the Manufacturing Control Systems (MCS) program took shape, the partnership deepened. CIMPA supported the data teams, helped explain the impact of data quality on production, and inspired others to get involved. The initiative began to take root—not just as a technical project, but as a new way of working together.
Looking Forward: Ownership and Confidence
Today, the transformation continues. The roadmap stretches through 2026, with new integrations underway and internal teams growing stronger. The team reflects, “When we started, it was just us and one other person, with no clear outlook. Now we have a trajectory. A language. A team. It’s still hard—but it’s ours.”
At CIMPA, we don’t just deliver solutions—we build relationships, share knowledge, and help clients grow so they can continue their transformation and thrive.
We warmly thank Mr. Emmanuel GOETGHELUCK from SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER for his time during this interview.
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