In a major move to secure critical manufacturing capabilities for the nuclear and defense sectors, global nuclear energy leader Framatome has acquired a minority equity stake in Manoir France, a subsidiary of the UK-based Paralloy Group. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in reinforcing industrial sovereignty and ensuring the long-term resilience of high-performance component supply chains across Europe.
The Power of Strategic Partnership
This collaboration builds upon a foundation of shared industrial values. Manoir France operates two highly specialized foundry sites in Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne) and Pîtres (Eure), employing over 600 skilled professionals. These facilities are renowned for producing complex, high-performance engineered components that meet the most stringent safety and reliability standards.
The investment also delivers on support Framatome announced earlier in 2026, when Manoir France acquired the historic Hachette and Driout foundries. These sites have now been seamlessly integrated under the banner of Firth Vickers France, further expanding the group’s industrial footprint and manufacturing capacity.
Engineering for the Most Demanding Sectors
The components produced at these foundries are not just metal castings; they are the backbone of critical infrastructure. Manoir France supplies essential high-performance metal parts to the nuclear, defense, aerospace, and petrochemical sectors. This includes the manufacturing of highly technical valves and pumps for nuclear power plants, where absolute precision and fail-safe reliability are non-negotiable.
By taking a minority stake, Framatome is directly contributing to the development of these foundries. The partnership goes beyond capital; Framatome is providing its world-class expertise in nuclear engineering, safety protocols, quality culture, and complex nuclear project management to elevate operational excellence across the board.
Leadership Perspectives on Industrial Sovereignty
The alignment between the two companies is rooted in a shared commitment to long-term growth and security in strategically vital industries.
Grégoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:
“This equity participation consolidates two emblematic foundry sites in France, serving the most demanding industrial sectors, particularly nuclear and defense. It gives us further leverage to strengthen our sovereignty and to secure our supply chains, particularly for the EPR2 program and for the defense industry.”
Robert McGowan, President of Manoir France and CEO of Paralloy Group, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the growth opportunities ahead:
“This new partnership with Framatome builds on the rich history of Paralloy, Manoir, and Hachette and Driout Foundries. It seeks to accelerate investments in capabilities, capacities, and best practices to secure these critical supply chains for the long-term future.”
Looking Ahead
As the global push for clean, reliable baseload power accelerates, securing domestic supply chains for next-generation nuclear projects like the EPR2 is more critical than ever. By combining Paralloy Group’s advanced metallurgical and manufacturing strengths with Framatome’s unparalleled nuclear expertise, this partnership is perfectly positioned to drive innovation, ensure component reliability, and support the sustainable growth of the global nuclear fleet for decades to come.