An exceptional career: from aeronautics to entrepreneurship

Martial Mignet, passionate about aeronautics since childhood, started at the age of 15 as an apprentice mechanic at the Air Force School in Saintes. After his training, he joined the General Delegation of Armament for flight tests in Brétigny-sur-Orge, a cutting-edge center where he rubbed shoulders with renowned astronauts such as Jean-Loup Chrétien and Patrick Baudry. Aviation, which has always been the spearhead of his projects, continues to accompany him today. Martial still flies, although he has left the airline and the airlines. These experiences, marked by his participation in space programs and innovative projects such as the Caravelle, the ancestor of the Airbus A300 ZERO-G, forged his skills and his ability to take on complex technological challenges.

After leaving the military, Martial turned to entrepreneurship, leading bold initiatives such as the privatization of air fleets in Belarus and getting involved in civil and military programs. For 23 years, he excelled in international oversized freight, operating all over the world. In 1992, he founded EFIS International, specializing in aeronautical expertise for emerging economies. His influence extends across three continents, where he participated in the creation of companies such as Transaviaexport. Since 2007, Martial Mignet has also been President of ARINC SA and its subsidiaries, specializing in safety engineering.

While maintaining an aeronautical and industrial culture, Martial Mignet does not hesitate to realize his dreams. In October 2010, with the ARINC SA group, he purchased Château l'Argilus du Roi, located in the prestigious appellation of Saint-Estèphe. Combining tradition and modernity, this wine is exported and served on the finest tables in the world, as well as in many aviation companies. Passionate about oenology and viticulture, Martial Mignet sees in this project another facet of his entrepreneurial commitment: to enhance French know-how and share it internationally. Martial Mignet therefore embodies an innovative entrepreneur and strategist in the service of industrial progress.

The ARINC group: innovation and diversification

The ARINC group is structured around three major areas: defense and security, aeronautics and viticulture. These sectors embody its commitment to innovation and its attachment to values of excellence. ARINC develops electronic solutions and countermeasures intended for the French armed forces and their allies, illustrating the key role of SMEs in the national industry. Its approach is based on constant research and close partnerships with defense institutions.

Since 2007, Martial Mignet has chaired ARINC SA and its subsidiaries, which work in consulting, industrial project management and export development, particularly for high-tech SMEs. Referenced within the GICAT Data Intelligence Cluster, ARINC SA ranks among the top 30 companies specializing in the processing of sensitive data. This positioning is reinforced by immediate responsiveness thanks to a light administrative structure and a team of experts with extensive field experience.

Through ARINC Innovation, the company invests in cutting-edge projects such as METAFORA, a startup specializing in blood diagnostics and the fight against cancer and rare diseases, demonstrating its resolutely forward-looking vision.

SDA33: The excellence of aeronautical luxury, between tradition and innovation

In 2017, with his own investment fund, BALKA Finance, he became the majority shareholder of SDA33, a company manufacturing business aircraft interiors, which for 37 years has been the result of the outsourcing of this production by the Dassault Aviation group. SDA33, which has held PART 145 certification since 2018, is now positioned in the world of aeronautical luxury. SDA 33 embodies the alliance between innovation and craftsmanship, meeting the requirements of the aeronautical, nautical and luxury automobile sectors. It works in particular on customization projects for renowned private jets, illustrating its artisanal know-how.

SDA33 also stands out for its mastery of high-end saddlery and its commitment to decarbonized materials. Martial emphasizes: "We work on leathers tanned with olive oil and bio-sourced fabrics to meet environmental challenges."

The company is also recognized for its collaboration with technical high schools, training a new generation of qualified craftsmen. For the record, in 2023, SDA33 supported the third Best Apprentice in France in saddlery, confirming its pioneering role in the transmission of know-how.

Train and relocate: a key commitment

Martial Mignet attaches great importance to the transmission of know-how. By collaborating with technical schools such as the Thiviers high school (24), he allows young talents to flourish and contribute to preserving craft trades that are in danger of disappearing. This commitment goes hand in hand with his desire to promote French industry, in particular by relocating strategic activities.

He regrets the massive relocations of recent decades, particularly in key sectors such as nuclear power and pharmaceuticals, which have weakened France's economic independence. "Manufacturing in France means guaranteeing independence, quality and preserving employment," he insists. For him, this strategy is essential not only to protect local know-how, but also to prepare for the future in the face of growing economic and environmental challenges.

Tips for Success in Entrepreneurship…Be Resilient Above All

Drawing on his varied experiences, Martial shares inspiring advice for entrepreneurs. First, believing in your project is essential: “If you don’t believe in it, no one will do it for you.” Then, he encourages the adoption of new technologies to stay competitive, and insists on the need to be resilient in the face of obstacles, reminding that failures should be seen as learning opportunities. "Starting a business means accepting the prospect of failure. But if you stop there, it's better not to start. For my part, I am what you call a resister. I created businesses to change things, by facing every obstacle without ever giving up. Every day, you have to be convinced that what you do has meaning: for humanity, for society, for people. Holding on means resisting pressure, whether fiscal or administrative. If you are not ready for that, you cannot last. I stayed the course, because under my responsibility, there are families.

Taking the reins of a company is more than a choice, it's a commitment. And to honor this commitment, you need real resilience to see your ideas through to fruition. Being a leader also means agreeing to devote energy to tasks that are not directly related to our core business, but which are essential to the survival and sustainability of the company."

Finally, Martial Mignet underlines the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, human qualities and team commitment being key assets for success.

An inspiring vision

Martial Mignet therefore embodies an entrepreneurial philosophy where passion, innovation and commitment combine harmoniously. Through his companies and projects, he demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile traditional craftsmanship and high technology. His motto, "Keep your feet on the ground and your head in the stars", perfectly reflects his journey. His story, marked by challenges and successes, inspires future generations and reminds us that with a clear vision, a committed team and unwavering passion, anything becomes possible.