Story ID: 696
Saft Celebrates 100th Anniversary
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: Now a subsidiary of Total, Saft has its roots firmly in France.
Word Count: 165
French industrial battery manufacturer Saft is marking the 100th anniversary of its founding. Saft, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total, has also been operating in America for more than 50 years, “expanding from one site to five key locations across the U.S.” The sites currently comprise Jacksonville, Florida; Valdosta, Georgia; Valdese, North Carolina; Cockeysville, Maryland; and North Haven, Connecticut.

“Saft has been a world-leading in battery technology since its inception in 1918,” said Saft CEO Ghislain Lesculer. The company (Booth 1435) employs 4,300 people in 18 countries and has research centers in the U.S. and France, along with 14 manufacturing sites and 30 sales offices around the world.

“Saft plays a huge role in the aviation industry,” said Annie Sennet, Saft America CEO. “Our batteries are on board two-thirds of all civil and military aircraft.” Its batteries are also used in a range of other applications from under the sea to space, and are used everywhere from the poles to deserts, said the company.