Spanish aerospace company Aciturri launched a new manufacturing facility in Morocco’s Midparc industrial zone on Wednesday having invested MAD 30 million (USD 3 million) in the project.
The new site is the group’s first significant investment in North Africa. Spanning 2,800 square meters, the factory will specialize in manufacturing aircraft engine blades, specifically for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, a critical component in next-generation aircraft programs.
The expansion follows Aciturri’s acquisition of Moroccan firm GOAM Industries in 2023. The company expects to create 100 jobs at the site over the coming years.
Gines Clemente, Aciturri’s CEO, framed the Morocco expansion as part of the group’s broader strategy to grow its engine components business, which currently accounts for 20% of its revenues.
The new facility is key to that strategy, providing Aciturri with a platform to better serve clients such as Safran and Airbus, while reinforcing its market presence in Europe and opening new opportunities in North Africa.
Aciturri’s decision to set up in Morocco aligns with the company’s efforts to diversify its global supply chain and reduce reliance on its operations in France and Spain, where most of its activities are currently concentrated.
Clemente explained that the Morocco move also enables the group to tap into a lower-cost manufacturing base while leveraging the country’s skilled labor force.
Aciturri’s investment comes as Morocco continues to assert itself as a competitive hub for aerospace manufacturing.
The country’s aerospace exports have surged to USD 4.5 billion, with a sector growth rate exceeding 20%. The Moroccan government has actively promoted the industry, attracting investments from leading global aerospace players, and positioning the country as a cost-effective alternative to traditional markets in Europe and North America.
“The establishment of Aciturri’s facility marks a new chapter for Morocco’s aerospace sector,” said Afaf Saidi, Director of Aeronautical, Railway, Naval, and Renewable Energy Industries at Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.