Spirit Aerosystems Expands Aerospace Footprint with Moroccan Acquisition

According to the Moroccan Minister of Industry, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, this new deal is a sign of the industrial influence of the kingdom in the current context marked by major difficulties caused by the health crisis in this sector.

The arabianaerospace.aero portal, for its part, points out that the acquisition of the Bombardier site in Casablanca is highly strategic for Spirit Aerosystems’ development plans in terms of production growth of components for Airbus, particularly with regard to the work package for the A220 wing production process. According to the same source, the Moroccan industrial sector also constitutes a breeding ground for the development of high value-added composite materials technologies and regional business aircraft platforms. This will double Spirit Aerosystems’ capacity in terms of global after-sales services.

This observation is supported by an executive of the group based in Wichita, Kansas (United States). He affirms that with the acquisition of the Casablanca site, known to be up to international standards, it is a windfall to gain in competitiveness and become "the largest leading player in its sector". Spirit AeroSystems is a giant American aerostructure company that manufactures aircraft structural elements (fuselages, wings and engine supports).

"Morocco offers internationally competitive manufacturing costs, as well as low export and transportation costs," explained this spokesperson, who added that the aerospace industry has solid foundations and has succeeded in taking root in the global value chain.

And arabianaerospace.aero to add: it is a breath of fresh air for the Groupement des Industries Marocaines Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIMAS), which has been severely tested by the coronavirus crisis. In Morocco, the aerospace industrial sector has recorded a 20% growth over two consecutive years.

The result of long discussions initiated by the Moroccan authorities, the acquisition agreement covered not only the Casablanca site, but also those of Belfast and Dallas.