SAGEM

SAGEM (French: Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique, translated as "Company of General Applications of Electricity and Mechanics") was a French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics, and communication systems. Founded in 1924, SAGEM initially specialised in mechanical engineering and tool manufacture. Early in its existence, it entered the defense sector. The company made a foray into telecommunications in 1942 with the first telex printer, although it was principally a defense-oriented company during the first few decades of the post-war era. This majority focus upon the military sector continued for several years after the departure of Marcel Môme, SAGEM's founder. During the 1980s, SAGEM's distributed Japanese fax machines while developing its own technology. Over the traditional defence sector, such products accounted for a growing share of SAGEM's revenues. During the 1990s, the firm entered the automotive systems sector. Starting in 1995, the company produced GSM telephones for the French market, at one point holding roughly 50% of it. Early development internationally with a focus in Europe Asia and Middle East. By the turn of the century, SAGEM's net profits neared the FF 1 billion mark during 1999. In 2005, SAGEM and SNECMA merged to form Safran. Together, the companies focus mainly on aeronautics, defense, and security. The communications and mobile telephony businesses were spun off as two independent entities: Sagemcom and MobiWire.