This equipment is highly critical: it is found in both nuclear deterrent submarines and in the reactors of civil nuclear power plants. “This operation aims to secure the supply of some of our strategic components, taps and valves, for our nuclear activities, both civil and defense,” says Olivier Huet, Deputy CEO of TechnicAtome.
The risk was all the greater since 2023, the aeronautical group Daher had put this subsidiary up for sale, which was not part of its core strategy. “Rather than having a shareholder who doesn’t suit us, we might as well go ourselves!” explains Olivier Huet. TechnicAtome and Framatome (and its parent company EDF) are Daher Valves’ main customers and account for around 50% of its business.
Industrial investments and hiring planned
Framatome has thus acquired 70% of its subcontractor and becomes its industrial operator, and TechnicAtome 30%. The amount of the acquisition has not been made public. Based in Saint-Vallier in the Drôme, Daher Valves has approximately 120 employees. The company generates between 15 and 20 million in sales per year, year after year. It has suffered from the slowdown in the nuclear market during the last period. The company is resuming its historic name of Vanatome, the name it had before its acquisition by the Daher group in 2007.
Securing the nuclear industry supply chain was all the more necessary as Framatome and TechnicAtome are engaged in structuring programs. In the military field, France has just launched the construction of the future third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SNLE) and the aircraft carrier that will succeed the Charles de Gaulle. The cutting of the first sheet metal of the SNLE took place last March in the Naval Group construction yards in Cherbourg (Manche).
“We are not on a commissioned mission. This operation is the result of a decision by manufacturers supported by the Ministry of the Armed Forces,” explains Olivier Huet. Vanatome and Segault together provide 50% of the supply of nuclear taps and valves for the defense sector. In the civil sector, Framatome will also need all its subcontractors for the construction of the future French nuclear park.
Jeumont Electric, a sovereignty issue
The Vanatome plant’s production must therefore increase its output by 25% by 2027. The challenge is all the greater given that the plant has experienced operational difficulties in recent years in terms of rates and quality. To correct the situation, the new shareholders are planning industrial investments and an increase in staff. According to them, the company has an order book equivalent to three years of production.
This is not the first time that Framatome has intervened to consolidate its supply chain. Last January, the industrialist, associated with Naval Group, finalized the acquisition of Jeumont Electric. This company specializes in the manufacture and maintenance of motors and electrical equipment for the nuclear energy and naval defense sectors. This acquisition responded to the challenges related to sovereignty, indicated Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome. After Jeumont Electric and Daher Valves, other operations of this type are still expected to take place.
