Daher

Daher
Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Daher
Type	Private
Industry	Aerospace and Defense; Industrial Manufacturing; Logistics
Founded	1863
Founder	Bernard Daher
Headquarters	Marseille
Key people	Stéphane Mayer; Christophe Deborde; Jean-Phillipe Dayez
Products	Aircraft, composite aerostructures, avionics, logistics solutions
Subsidiaries	Socata; TBM Aircraft; Daher Aerospace; Daher Logistics

Daher is a French industrial group active in aerospace manufacturing, aviation services, and industrial logistics solutions. Originating in the 19th century, the company evolved from a small trading enterprise into an integrated supplier to major OEMs, prime contractors, and civil operators. Daher combines aircraft production, aerostructures, system integration, and supply-chain services to serve clients including Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney.

History

Daher traces roots to 1863 in Marseille as a trading and transport firm before diversifying into industrial activities and aeronautics by the 20th century. The group expanded after World War II through partnerships and acquisitions, aligning with key players such as Latécoère and Snecma to supply components for early jet programs. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries Daher acquired civil aviation assets, notably the light aircraft manufacturer SOCATA (later branded as TBM), integrating piston and turboprop production into its portfolio. Strategic moves included vertical integration into composite aerostructures and logistics, positioning Daher alongside Tier 1 suppliers participating in programs like the Airbus A320neo and Airbus A350 supply chains. Recent decades saw modernization of production sites in Nantes, Tarbes, and Le Bourget while engaging with export markets including United States Department of Defense contractors and civil operators in Brazil, Australia, and United Arab Emirates.

Products and Services

Daher manufactures and supports a range of civil and industrial products. Core offerings include the TBM family of high-performance single-engine turboprops, produced for business and utility markets and sold to operators such as NetJets and ExecuJet. Daher supplies composite aerostructures, nacelles, and assemblies for airframers including Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, and provides integrated systems for programs like the Dassault Falcon series and regional transport platforms. The group offers avionics installation, retrofit, and certification services working with vendors such as Honeywell, Garmin, Thales, and Rockwell Collins. In logistics and industrial services, Daher manages supply-chain operations, packaging, and spare-part distribution for primes including ThyssenKrupp and Leonardo S.p.A.. Additional services encompass maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for turboprops and components in coordination with EASA and FAA regulatory frameworks.

Corporate Structure and Operations

Daher is organized into divisions covering aircraft manufacturing, aerostructures, and logistics services. The TBM aircraft division operates production lines, flight test operations, and customer support centers, interfacing with certification authorities such as Direction générale de l'aviation civile and Federal Aviation Administration. The aerostructures division designs and manufactures composite and metallic sections using technologies developed alongside research partners like CNRS and ONERA. Daher’s logistics division operates bonded warehouses, just-in-time delivery networks, and kitting operations for primes including Safran Helicopter Engines and MBDA. Corporate governance comprises a board and executive committee responsible for strategy, compliance, and investor relations with regional banking partners like BNP Paribas and Société Générale.

Global Presence

Daher maintains production, engineering, and service facilities across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Key sites include manufacturing hubs in Toulouse, Nantes, Tarbes, and assembly operations near Paris–Le Bourget Airport, with support centers in Wichita, São José dos Campos, and Singapore. The company sells aircraft and components to operators and OEMs across markets such as Canada, Mexico, China, and India, and participates in export programs coordinated with trade agencies like Business France. Daher’s international logistics footprint supports just-in-time deliveries for multinational programs including Airbus A220 and regional defense suppliers working with NATO partners.

Safety, Certifications, and Compliance

Daher holds multiple aviation certifications and quality approvals required for aircraft manufacture and component supply. Certifications include approvals under EASA Part 21 and FAA Part 145 for MRO, ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality management standards, and NADCAP process certifications for special processes such as heat treatment and non-destructive testing. The TBM aircraft line is certified under EASA and FAA type certificates with continued airworthiness programs coordinated with authorities and industry groups including European Union Aviation Safety Agency and International Civil Aviation Organization. Daher implements safety management systems aligned with ICAO guidelines and maintains supplier audits and export control compliance with regimes such as ITAR and EAR when engaging with United States defense-related programs.

Notable Projects and Partnerships

Daher participates in high-profile industrial partnerships and programs. The TBM turboprop program remains a flagship civil aviation product, with collaborative upgrades involving suppliers like Garmin for avionics modernization and Honeywell for engine controls. Daher has supplied aerostructures and assemblies for Airbus A350 and A320neo programs and contributed tooling and integration expertise to projects with Boeing and Embraer. Strategic collaborations with research organizations such as CEA and Institut Mines-Télécom support composite development and digital manufacturing initiatives. Daher partners with MRO networks including Lufthansa Technik and ST Engineering for global support, and engages in joint ventures and industrial offsets with regional partners in Brazil and United Arab Emirates to expand manufacturing and after-sales capabilities.

Category:Aerospace companies of France Category:Aircraft manufacturers