Targeting emerging markets: thyssenkrupp to open aerospace facility in Morocco

2018-02-02

Feb. 01, 2018 - thyssenkrupp Materials Services is expanding its aerospace network: The global supply chain solutions experts are opening a sales and production site in Morocco. The new location, situated close to Casablanca, will offer material storage and processing services. The aerospace unit of thyssenkrupp Materials Services already has successful business relationships with many of the aerospace companies based in North Africa through their other international operating units, and these relationships will now be expanded. The geographical proximity of the new site to its customers will enable the large number of manufacturers located in the region to delegate their raw material supply chain management to thyssenkrupp Aerospace. This will allow delivery route and process optimization resulting in quicker lead times.

Strengthen customers, enhance market position

The worldwide aerospace industry is growing above average compared to the world economy and there are a rising number of passengers and increasing cargo traffic leading to high demand for new aircraft. Morocco is benefitting from the overall aerospace industry growth and with more than fifteen percent average annual growth, it is considered an economic driver for the country. The development of the aerospace industry in Morocco is fully supported by King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan aerospace industries association GIMAS as well as the Moroccan Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment and Digital Economy CMPE. Already today, there are a growing number of companies playing an active role in the Moroccan aerospace industry. Companies located in the area cover the whole manufacturing supply chain.

“We see a high demand for a reliable partner that offers materials and metal processing as well as supply chain solutions in the North African area. To strengthen our activities in this area and offer further customized solutions is a logical consequence for us,” explains Laura A. Holmes, CEO of thyssenkrupp Aerospace. “We will expand our market position sustainably and become the preferred service partner in the region,” Holmes adds. The warehouse space of more than 2,000 square metres will stock raw materials such as aluminium, steel, and titanium in various forms and alloys. A “cut-to-size”-service will allow customers to order the material in the size required.

Positive business performance, high demand 

Even before the official opening of the facility, which is planned for summer 2018, two major players in the market have signed supply agreements. Cyril Houvenaghel, purchasing director of Figeac Aero Maroc is convinced: “Figeac Aero is certain that the new thyssenkrupp facility in Morocco will deliver benefits for Figeac Aero manufacturing locations in Morocco through the local solutions implemented by thyssenkrupp Aerospace” thyssenkrupp Aerospace will steer the sales and operational processes locally in the initial phase with locally recruited staff. “ARM Group believes that the new thyssenkrupp Aerospace facility in Casablanca will not only offer advantages for ARM Group in Morocco, but also to the entire Aerospace Supply Chain in the region,” says Ludovic Couillaud, CEO of ARM Group. Negotiations with other partners are ongoing.

“We are pleased regarding the positive feedback from customers in Morocco,” says Hans-Josef Hoss, COO of thyssenkrupp Materials Services. “This facility is an essential element of our future strategy of growth in the region – because of its good structure regarding the aerospace industry, Morocco offers an ideal environment.”

„This new site underlines our ambition to be a reliable and strong partner alongside our customers. Our dense network of established supply sources with the latest certifications guarantees delivery reliability, punctuality and fast availability of our product portfolio“, Joachim Limberg, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, adds. “With our broad and deep experience as a system partner, we ensure that our customers can focus even more on their core business by taking on the complete management of logistics, warehousing and supply chains.”

thyssenkrupp Aerospace is one of the leading global service providers for materials, supply chain-solutions, and metals processing in the aerospace industry. The company runs a global network with more than 1,800 employees in over 20 countries. The Moroccan facility will be the 44th thyssenkrupp Aerospace location worldwide and the second in North Africa.