Bell appoints Moroccan company to market its civilian helicopters in Morocco
US aircraft manufacturer Bell Textron has appointed a Moroccan company to market its civilian helicopters in Morocco. Announced at the Marrakech Airshow, the partnership gives Aviarail a leading role in developing the group’s business in the Kingdom.
The choice is now official. On Friday, 9 October, at the Marrakech Airshow, Bell Textron, a subsidiary of US group Textron, announced the appointment of Aviarail as its authorised independent sales representative in Morocco. The Moroccan company will promote the manufacturer’s helicopters to customers in the country and help develop its relationships with operators already present.
For Bell, the opportunity goes beyond simply selling aircraft. The manufacturer intends to rely on a locally based company with expertise in aerospace and defence. “We believe they have the commercial expertise needed to expand Bell’s presence,” said Tim Evans, the group’s managing director for the Middle East and Africa, in a statement published Friday.
A Moroccan company already active in aerospace and defence
Aviarail is more than a sales intermediary. The company works in the design of aerospace equipment, onboard electronic systems, maintenance and industrial engineering. It is also active in rail, energy and defence.
The company says it has 220 employees and 13 200 m² of space dedicated to engineering and production across its group. It has sites in Casablanca and the Nouaceur industrial zone, among others. Its activities also include manufacturing test benches and technical equipment, as well as maintaining and repairing equipment for helicopters.
The partnership with Bell gives it a new commercial opportunity. Aviarail says it can support Moroccan customers with spare-parts supply, technical assistance and maintenance operations. However, the mandate announced by Bell covers its civilian range and does not represent a new military order.
On Bladi.net : South Korea Courts Morocco With Local Partnerships to Replace Its Alpha Jets
The American manufacturer already knows the Moroccan market. Its Bell 412 helicopters have notably been the subject of acquisition projects for Moroccan forces. Across Africa, the manufacturer says several hundred of its aircraft are operated by civilian and military operators.
Bell is now seeking to expand this network by combining local representatives, customer services and maintenance facilities. The group has not specified a sales target or the number of helicopters that could be marketed in Morocco under the agreement.