With the goal of supporting innovation at Daher and strengthening the role of the Nantes metropolitan area as a laboratory of solutions in the face of social and environmental transition, Daher and Nantes Métropole are materializing their mutual commitment to responsible local economic development along three main themes:
Industrial research and ecosystem innovation;
Human capital, CSR (corporate social responsibility), and territorial orientation; and
Promotion of the region, eco-responsible industry, and international influence.
The industrial development and innovation pact signed today is part of Daher’s strategy announced in June to quadruple its research and development spending over the next five years, along with a strategy committed to decarbonization. To further accelerate this movement, Daher opened three collaborative innovation centers during 2022, including “Shap’In” – which is dedicated to the aerostructures of the future, and is co-located at the Daher site in the Nantes region at Saint-Aignan-de-Granlieu.
Today’s signing of the framework agreement is a new step, and demonstrates the relationship of trust between the Nantes metropolitan area and Daher to support the Nantes innovation ecosystem in response to today’s social and environmental challenges. Its goal, in particular, is to develop programs for common progress in the domain of new-generation composite aerostructures for the benefit of all stakeholders in the value chain of businesses in the metropolis.
Daher has been firmly established in this region since 2010, and has 1,600 employees in the Pays de la Loire area of France. The opening of Shap’In at the heart of the Jules Verne industrial hub as one of its three French innovation centers underscores the Daher Group’s desire for development and innovation in the Nantes area.
Nantes Métropole – which was recognized as the “European Capital of Innovation” in 2019 – has created a strong value chain and continues to support innovation in the service of an eco-responsible industry.
Through this collaboration, Daher is committed to strengthening its participation in the aeronautics sector via its research, incubator and start-up accelerator components. Nantes Métropole is committed to developing the metropolitan area’s manufacturing sector and supporting the actions of stakeholders who are committed to an eco-responsible industry.
Reciprocal commitments also are being made to promote the accessibility and mobility of employees to/from the Nantes Atlantique Airport (which is in the vicinity of Daher’s Nantes facilities), as well as in terms of sustainable development for waste management and reasonable energy consumption, along with promoting the regional anchoring of projects. Human capital also is highlighted through recruitment, training and the promotion of diversity and gender diversity commitments.
“We are pleased to continue our commitments in the Nantes area by signing this cooperation pact with Nantes Métropole, serving the development of innovative and responsible solutions in this region. Open innovation and R&D at Daher are part of our DNA. We want to share our know-how with our local ecosystem to advance all players in the industrial sector and to attract the talents of tomorrow.”
Sébastien Leroy, the Open Innovation Director at Daher
“I welcome the signing of this cooperation pact with Daher for responsible economic development. The recent opening in the Nantes Metropolis of the new Shap’In collaborative innovation center is emblematic of the strength of our industrial ecosystem. Faced with social and environmental challenges, this contributes to our proactive movement towards an eco-responsible and creative industry with localized employment.”
Francky Trichet, Vice-President of Nantes Métropole in charge of innovation
