SAGEM (, 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.
History
Early years
In 1924, 25-year-old French businessman Marcel Môme founded the Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique (SAGEM).
In 1942, following a request from the French Ministry of Telecommunications, SAGEM developed a new communication system, the telex printer. This product marked the company's move toward a larger involvement in the telecommunications sector. After the Second World War, the company became increasingly involved in France's defense and aeronautical industries. In June 1996, SAGEM was selected to upgrade the electronic systems of some France-built Mirage aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, under the ROSE upgrade (Retrofit of Strike Element) program. Maintaining an interest in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the company struck deals with Dassault Aviation and General Electric.
21st century
SAGEM grouped its business around two activities:
- A communication branch (SAGEM was ranked second among French telecommunication equipment providers);
- A defense and security branch (Sagem Défense Sécurité), which covered three domains:
- Optronics and defense (imagers, infrared and light-intensifying cameras, sights, periscopes, gyrostabilized pods, cryptology, UAV systems, etc.);
- Avionics (inertial navigation, civilian and military avionics, guidance and pointing systems);
- Electronics (electronics, software, circuit boards, control units).
In 2005, SAGEM and SNECMA merged to form Safran. In 2007, SAGEM launched its mobile phones into the Indian market, marketed under the trade name "Bleu".
In 2008, the SAGEM group spun off its communications and mobile telephony businesses (Sagem Mobile) to focus on core company values. Sagem Sécurité merged with Ingenico. The broadband business became Sagemcom. The mobile phone business became Sagem Wireless. The identity, bio-metric and transaction business became Safran Morpho. The company's defence electronics business became Safran Sagem.
Products
thumb|Sagem MW3020 mobile phone
- Dassault-Sagem SlowFast
- SAGEM Crecerelle
- CU161 Sperwer Tactical UAV system
- Inertial Unit Sigma 30
- Safran Patroller UAV
Mobile phones
9xx series
my100Phone series
my200Phone series
my300Phone series
my400Phone series
my500Phone series
my600Phone series
my700Phone series
my800Phone series
my900Phone series
Other MY models
thumb|Sagem myV-55 mobile phone