France · Competition
What Safran sold to close its Collins flight-controls deal
Safran acquired Collins Aerospace’s flight-control and actuation activities on 21 July 2025. On the same day it sold its North American electromechanical actuation business to Woodward, addressing a competition concern about one component market.
Sources checked
- 14 February 2025EU notification
Commission receives Safran’s notification Source 1
- 4 April 2025EU grants conditional clearance
Safran commits to divest a stabiliser actuator business Source 1
- 17 June 2025UK CMA accepts undertakings
Formal commitments resolve Phase 1 concerns Source 2
- 21 July 2025Safran closes Collins acquisition
Flight-control and actuation activities move to Safran Source 3
- 21 July 2025Woodward closes Safran business purchase
North American electromechanical actuation business moves to Woodward Source 2
- 1 August 2025Safran begins consolidation
Acquired business reported within Safran Electronics & Defense Source 3
The two asset transfers completed on the same day and moved different businesses.
The acquisition covered a broad portfolio
Safran reported that the Collins operations supplied equipment for about 180 platforms, employed about 4,000 people and generated around US$1.55 billion in 2024 revenue. The acquisition covered Collins activities in flight control and actuation. The regulator then assessed how that portfolio overlapped with Safran’s own businesses. Source 3 Source 1
The competition issue centred on a narrower product
The Commission identified the supply of trimmable horizontal stabiliser actuator systems as a market in which the two companies were major suppliers. These systems adjust the aircraft’s horizontal stabiliser. The review distinguished that overlap from other product relationships in the acquisition. Source 1
Safran’s existing business became the divestiture
The remedy required a business that could continue competing under an approved buyer. The commitments included separation and preservation of the business until sale. The UK authority accepted undertakings in June and subsequently confirmed that the Woodward purchase completed on 21 July. Source 1 Source 2
Both transfers closed on the same day
Safran reported that its North American electromechanical actuation operations had around US$65 million in 2024 sales. Those operations moved to Woodward while the Collins activities moved to Safran. Safran began consolidating the acquired business on 1 August. The transferred revenue figures describe different business perimeters. Source 3 Source 2