Casablanca – Morocco, Tuesday 21st June 2022
Safran Nacelles Morocco inaugurates the extension of its aircraft nacelles production site today, in the
presence of Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Mohammed Abdeljalil, Morocco’s
Minister of Transport and Logistics, Olivier Andriès, Safran’s Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Caro,
Safran Nacelles’ Chief Executive Officer, and Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, Chairman of Safran
Nacelles Morocco’s Board of Directors.
This extension of nearly 6,000 m2
(64,583ft2
) is dedicated to the production of the high-end Gulfstream
G700/G800 business aircraft nacelles. The site will become even more efficient through an industrial
development plan which will allow an increase in production rates of nacelles for customers.
Safran has invested 115 million dirhams (€11 million) in the site, which integrates the highest standards
in the aviation industry. It thus becomes the Safran’s reference site in Morocco, supporting a strong
ambition to digitalise its production processes and reduce its environmental footprint.
Safran Nacelles Morocco enters the “Manufacturing 4.0” era by incorporating state-of-the-art equipment
such as, a large autoclave, ergonomic workstations, machining equipment, and the latest generation of
robots and cobots. The site has also doubled its clean-room surface dedicated to the manufacture of
composite materials, from 1,800 m2
(19,375ft2
) to 3,600 m2
(38,750ft2
).
To support its development, Safran Nacelles Morocco is training its 850 qualified nacelle manufacturing,
composites and assembly personnel, so that they can develop new skills, particularly in engineering.
One hundred new employees will be joining the company to strengthen its workforce over the course of
this year.
Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, commented: “This new state-of-the-art
investment by the world leader illustrates the exceptional partnership and the dynamic that the
aerospace industry is experiencing under the leadership of his Majesty King Mohammed VI. Safran
provided its support for the development of skills and maturity in this industry, and the interest the Group
is taking in the Moroccan aerospace platform and its human capital contributes to the strengthening of
the sector’s competitiveness and the integration of higher value-added activities. Morocco is now
entering a new aerospace industry era that will make our country a centre of technology and excellence
and will enable it to gain a position as a major player on a global scale.”
In order to help reduce Safran CO2 emissions by 30% from 2025, the site is now equipped with a power
plant, whose energy will be supplied by 3,000 photovoltaic panels installed on the new extension as well
as on the site’s car parking carport. It will produce 20% of the site’s electricity. Once it is operational in
August 2022, it will save 2,000 tons of CO2 each year.
Olivier Andriès, Safran’s CEO, said: “I am delighted to inaugurate this extension, which confirms Safran’s
commitment to sustainably develop its presence in Morocco. Innovation to help decarbonise our industry
and operational excellence are key assets to our customers. That is why the Group’s base in the
kingdom is strategic; we know that we can rely on the Moroccan authorities and highly qualified
personnel thanks to our partnership with the Institute of Aeronautics Trades (IMA)”.
Safran Nacelles Morocco, established in March 2005, is the largest aerospace production site in
Morocco. It specializes in the manufacture of composite materials and the assembly of nacelles – air
inlet, engine cowls and thrust reversers – and their sub-assemblies. Through its presence in the territory,
the company has developed a local logistics chain with the support of the Group of Moroccan
Aeronautics and Space Industries (GIMAS).
Source : Safran
Be the first to comment on "Safran inaugurates the extension of its aircraft nacelle site in Casablanca"