Little is known, but the world’s first fluorescent tube was invented in 1938 in the Abadie research laboratories. Very quickly after the Second World War, the family business established in Vic-en-Bigorre in the heart of the Pyrenees put its know-how at the service of the aeronautics sector. Sela saw its business take off by equipping Dassault business jets.
« At the time in Dassault planes, the cockpit was lit with phosphorescent processes, particularly during night navigation. It was very annoying since there were reading problems, et cetera. And so Dassault decided to equip its devices with the process developed by Sela, the fluorescent tube whichleads to more homogeneity in light and much more shine to improve night reading », recalls Pascal Andriot, general director of the company.
Equipment for Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier
It was also to follow Dassault’s American activity that Sela created a subsidiary in Florida in 1987, The Bigorre Aerospace Company. On the American continent, the Bigourdan company supplies lighting systems for Boeing Business Jets, airliners like the Boeing 737 which are refitted for a private buyer. Sela also supplies courtesy lamps for the Canadian Bombardier. The company has also become the European leader in helicopter lighting by equipping all Airbus Helicopters aircraft.
After the shock of Covid during which the company’s turnover fell from 5.5 to less than 3 million euros, Sela no longer wanted to bet everything on aeronautics and sought to diversify. “ Today, the aeronautical activity is picking up very well and we could be satisfied with it but we have the desire to grow turnover to reach new markets. The idea is that aeronautics, which currently accounts for 95% of our activity, will increase to 75% in two years and that the rest will be generated by boating. », explains the manager.
Illuminating carpet and luminous fabrics for boating
In the same way as in aeronautics where the company focused on the business jet market, Sela is this time targeting the very select market of private yachts. Their wealthy owners work with renowned designers to shape the interior of their boat. It is they who will have to convince the Pyrenean company to transpose its products designed for airplanes. “ Our advantage is to offer the nautical sector high-tech, high-quality products at competitive prices since they have already undergone a whole battery of tests before being integrated into aircraft. “, he continues.
Sela is also developing new products to equip this new clientele, notably a carpet system which lights the steps of the yacht owner or fabrics producing lighting effects to equip, for example, spas and wellness centers. In this nautical niche, Sela intends to address the Italian market after recently joining the Franco-Italian Accelerator managed by BPIFrance.
On the aeronautics side, the group is targeting the Indian market, which concentrates mega orders, and also Vietnam. After reaching four million euros in turnover last year, Sela is counting on five million in 2023. Since the start of the year, the family business has taken a new turn since Laurent Abadie has ceded management general to Pascal Andriot to retire. He remains president of the company which will eventually be managed by his eldest daughter Laetitia Abadie, currently 28 years old.
2023-09-19 03:12:08
#Aeronautics #Pyrenean #pioneer #business #jet #lighting #diversifying.. #yachts
