Bombardier Aerospace has celebrated the opening of the Midparc Casablanca Free Zone, in Nouaceur, Morocco, with a symbolic groundbreaking on the site of the future Bombardier manufacturing facility.
"Bombardier is honored to celebrate this milestone in the presence of his Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, as we move another step closer to the establishment of our permanent facility here in Nouaceur," said Hugo Brouillard, general manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Morocco. "As part of the celebration of the official opening of the the Midparc Free Zone, we are pleased to be surrounded by our partners and peers in the industry who are developing a strong aerospace presence here in Morocco, and we are dedicated to contributing to the success of what promises to be a thriving aerospace cluster in Casablanca."
In January 2013 Bombardier began operating out of a transitional facility located at the Mohammed V International Airport in Nouaceur in the Greater Casablanca region, where the company is currently producing simple structures including flight controls for the CRJ Series aircraft, and will employ over 100 workers by the end of December 2013.
Construction of Bombardier's 150,000ft2 (13,935m2) permanent facility began early in September 2013, and is scheduled to be completed around mid-2014. Bombardier Aerospace intends to invest approximately US$200 million in equipment, buildings, and start-up costs. By the end of 2020, employment at the Morocco facility is expected to reach 850 skilled and trained workers.
"Since making the decision to establish our facility in Morocco in November 2011, we have been encouraged by the growth of the aerospace cluster, and the engagement of all stakeholders in the region. We are confident that there is a bright future for Bombardier, and the whole aerospace industry in Morocco," said Souad Elmallem, Chief Country Representative Africa, Bombardier Aerospace.
Source: Bombardier Aerospace