Souriau celebrates 100 years of interconnect innovations

In 2017, SOURIAU is celebrating 100 years of innovation  in helping all industries—aviation, defencs, space, rail, nuclear, and racing cars.

The early years of the 20th century saw major developments in automobiles, trains, and airplanes. In 1917, Paul Adolphe Souriau—the man who would one day give his name to the company he founded—specialized in windings and the manufacture and repair of electric magnetos and ignition systems for automobiles and
airplanes, two modes of transportation that were becoming increasingly popular.

From plugs to connectors
SOURIAU’s great adventure in the field of connections began with aviation. The company’s relationship with aircraft manufacturer Caudron-Renault led to the design of the first quick-lock bayonet ‘electrical plug.’ This patented revolution freed the world’s electrical equipment of the period and became ubiquitous in all parts of planes. For SOURIAU, the creation of the first bayonet connector certified by BNAe (France’s Aeronautics and Space Standardization Office) marked the start of an industrial adventure that continues to this very day.

After taking over the helm of SOURIAU from his father, Paul-Jean Souriau expanded the company’s product line, upgraded its production facilities, and took the company international by setting up business in the U.S.A. and supplying connectors to Boeing. Carrying on his father’s tradition, Paul-Jean Souriau remained focused on innovation, reliability, robustness, regularity in manufacturing processes, and listening to his customers’ needs.

Connectors are not like any other kind of passive component. Regardless of the application they are used for, their lifespan is measured in decades. Take the MIL 38999, which was introduced in the 1970s yet remains a world standard in aeronautics. SOURIAU has continuously improved the shell sizes, contact types, and surface treatments of its MIL 38999 connector. Indispensable partners of electrical wiring, connectors are used to interconnect shells in aircraft engines, cockpits, and interiors.

Each year, the world’s largest companies reward their suppliers for their performance. SOURIAU has been especially honored to receive a number of awards, most recently from Airbus in 2015, and from Crouzet, Fokker, Safran and Zodiac in 2016. SOURIAU was recognized as on the top suppliers of the year for its commitment to meeting delivery times, its quality (in terms of part per million, or PPM), its products, and its customer relationships.

In France, SOURIAU operates three production sites in the towns of Champagné, Marolles, and La Ferté Bernard.

In 1989, SOURIAU became part of Framatome Connectors International (FCI) but regained its freedom a few years later. Now part of Esterline Connection Technologies, SOURIAU/SUNBANK is a subsidiary of the Esterline Group. The company has 3,000 employees and 11 production sites around the world.

“SOURIAU has once again gained a leading edge,” said Patrice Cavelier-Bros, president of SOURIAU. “To celebrate our 100 years of passion and innovation, we are unveiling this year ‘black zinc nickel’, a new surface treatment for the metal portions of our connectors that complies with the European REACH Regulation.”

SOURIAU USA/Esterline Connection Technologies
www.esterline-connection-technologies.com