Morocco is a strategic country for Safran due to its modern infrastructure, stable macroeconomic framework and skilled workforce, the group’s chairman Ross McInnes has said.
The French aerospace company will build a new landing gear production plant in Nouaceur, in a project worth more than $300m. The factory is expected to create 500 jobs and run on decarbonised energy.
Speaking to MAP at the launch ceremony held on Friday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, chaired by Mohammed VI, Mr McInnes said: “Our historical presence in the Kingdom, for more than 25 years, reflects our desire to continue investing in a country with modern infrastructure, a stable macroeconomic framework and recognised talent.”
“Morocco is a strategic country for Safran,” he added.
Safran currently operates around 10 sites in Morocco. These cover aircraft engine maintenance, aerospace wiring, engine nacelles, engine assembly and landing gear. The group said its Moroccan operations are central to its global production system and support its industrial performance.
Mr McInnes said the new site would be “one of the largest factories in the world for equipment and landing gear”. It will use advanced technology and key expertise to support higher production rates for the Airbus A320 family and prepare for the next generation of short- and medium-haul aircraft.
The plant will be located close to existing Safran assembly sites and Airbus assembly lines in Europe, helping to create shorter industrial routes and a more resilient supply chain.
Mr McInnes said he was pleased “to continue with Morocco this technological epic and to embark the Kingdom on a new adventure: that of producing particularly critical systems on board aircraft-landing gear”.
He also thanked the King for hosting the launch event at the Royal Palace.
“This welcome testifies to the importance that Your Majesty attaches to the industrial development of the Kingdom and highlights the unprecedented industrial momentum driven by Your Majesty to make the Kingdom a globally competitive industrial platform,” he said.
