Safran Nacelle

Shadow Boards

How Safran Improved Tool Management with a Freestanding Shadow Board

At Safran’s Burnley facility, efficiency and precision are everything. As a world leader in aircraft nacelles, Safran produces equipment for Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC, focusing on lightweight, aerodynamic designs that reduce CO₂ and noise emissions. But even in a high-tech environment, simple challenges like tool management can slow things down.

The Challenge

On the assembly line, engineers need quick access to a variety of tools — brackets, fixtures, locator pins, and large jigs. But tools were often left on benches, mixed into generic racks, or misplaced due to unclear labeling. Searching for the right tool increased downtime, created safety risks, and made audits more stressful.

The Solution

PEAK VM supplied a custom freestanding Shadow Board designed for Safran’s specific tooling needs. Key features include:

Tool-specific outlines for instant recognition

Clear visibility of part numbers to match internal BOMs

Freestanding design for flexibility in station layout

Professional finish and Safran branding to support a clean, organised workspace

The Impact

The results were immediate:

Operators can find the right tools quickly, reducing setup time by around 40%

Zero tool loss incidents

Easier audit readiness

Teams take greater ownership of their workstations, supporting ongoing 5S practices

In Their Words

“Each tool now has a clearly defined place, which has greatly improved accountability and reduced time wasted searching. It helps us maintain a clean, organised, and audit-ready workspace.” — Liam Clarke, Manufacturing Manager

With this simple change, Safran improved efficiency, safety, and workplace culture — proving that sometimes small organisational tweaks can make a big difference.