Sofradir Group shareholders Thales and Safran announced the appointment of Jean-François Delepau as its new Chairman, with immediate effect.
Previously Managing Director of ULIS, a Sofradir Group company, Delepau will oversee all the defense, aerospace and commercial market operations of the three companies within the Group: Sofradir, ULIS and US-based Sofradir-EC.
“Jean-François’ vision, dedication to excellence and the wealth of his experience and career-long achievements fully equip him to take over the reins of the Sofradir Group. He has the Board’s complete confidence in continuing to create growth opportunities. His objectives are to reinforce the high quality and price competitiveness of the Group’s products and improve their time-to-market, whilst accelerating innovation within each company,” said the Board representative.
“I am honored to serve as chairman of the Sofradir Group. I’m confident that I can bring immediate value based on my past experience, determination and drive. I will help build upon the Group’s outstanding technologies, staff expertise and commitment as it embarks upon a new era of development,” Delepau said.
Delepau (53) joined ULIS as Deputy Director in 2007. Previously he worked in different companies specialized in electronics & components in various positions (marketing, production). He also has eight years of experience as a technology and management consultant.
Delepau graduated from Ecole Polytechnique in 1986 and Telecom Paris in 1988. He earned an MBA from Insead in 1994.
The Sofradir Group is a global leader in high-performance imaging technologies for aerospace, defense and commercial markets. Its vast portfolio of infrared and thermal imaging detectors and sensors cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum from visible to very far infrared. Its detectors and sensors are at the center of multiple military programs and applications. They are also the key component of many top brands in commercial thermal imaging equipment sold across Europe, Asia and North America. It is the leading European manufacturer for IR detectors deployed in space.
The Group consists of Sofradir and its two subsidiaries: French-based ULIS, a manufacturer of microbolometers, and US-based Sofradir-EC, a supplier of imaging products; together they employ 900 staff.
Safran and Thales are equal (50/50) shareholders in the Group.
