Moroccan aeronautics industry at the Bourget air show: not just for show, says GIMAS president
10 June 2013
Read by 3539 persons
Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, president of the Moroccan Aeronautics and Space Industries Group (GIMAS), explains to L'Usine Nouvelle the reasons for GIMAS' presence as an exhibitor at the Bourget air show. He also provides an update on the development of the aeronautics industry in Morocco. He also reveals the decision taken by professionals to soon double the capacity of the IMA training center in Casablanca, as well as the official opening date of the Midparc aeronautical free zone in the same city: the end of September.
L'Usine Nouvelle: The Moroccan aeronautics industry will once again be exhibiting at the Bourget air show, via a GIMAS stand. What is the purpose of this presence?
Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi: It demonstrates the importance that this sector has taken on in our country in recent years and its growth. We are experiencing activity growth of around 20% per year with around 10,000 jobs in industry and services, which is why we decided to be exhibitors in synergy with the Moroccan state, which has made the development of aeronautics one of its priorities within the framework of its industrial strategy known as "Emergence".
What do you want to showcase?
Morocco is positioning itself as an aeronautical production base, building on what has existed for a long time in Europe and following a logic of co-location for Western companies seeking competitiveness. In our country, there are currently 106 industrial or aeronautical service companies covering a wide range: harnesses, mechanics, assembly, electronics, composites, maintenance, etc. Safran, which I chair here, has 6 subsidiaries in Morocco. Boeing is present via Matis. Bombardier, as you know, is building a component plant near Casablanca airport, and we also welcome many leading European SMEs.
Is the Bourget show a communication operation for you?
We are not going to the Bourget show just for show. I can tell you that we have already confirmed many high-level meetings with potential investors and established a busy schedule of meetings to present "Morocco's offer" and, above all, to discuss concrete development projects. As you know, on a global scale, the aeronautics sector is a small world. And what has been happening in our country for about 5 years has not gone unnoticed. Some of these meetings will continue discussions started at the Farnborough Airshow last year. This edition of the Bourget Airshow should therefore be the occasion for new announcements concerning aeronautics in Morocco!
What is the balance sheet for the aeronautics sector in Morocco for 2012?
It was a good year. We saw investments from companies such as Mecachrome and Ratier Figeac. And, while waiting for the opening of its Casablanca plant, the Canadian group Bombardier has already started training employees and even producing parts in a relay workshop. In total, 20 new aeronautical companies have set up in Morocco over the last period. GIMAS, for its part, now includes 76 companies that represent 95% of the sector's activity. (Editor's note: GIMAS estimated Moroccan aeronautical exports at €470 million in 2011).
This industry is still nascent in Morocco, since some components are sometimes reshipped to Europe just to be certified?
What you describe was phase 1 of our development. That is all behind us. It's obsolete. We are engaged in writing phase 2, namely climbing further up the value chain. We must also open up to other markets, I'm thinking of security-defense, onboard equipment, composites, and also develop engineering and design capacity. We must also continue to attract European SMEs to our country who need, for part of their activity, a highly competitive production base that is geographically close.
Do you benefit from the good health of the aeronautics sector?
Yes, this industry is doing quite well globally, as you know. Manufacturers' order books are full. The health of this industry contrasts with that of many others. The global growth forecast is 4 to 5% in the next 20 years. The Moroccan industry wants to take advantage of this expansion and enter the second phase I mentioned. The sustainability of the Moroccan aeronautical supply chain depends on its enrichment. This is one of our concerns. We must raise our skills.
How?
By giving us the means, through the joint action of the Moroccan state and professionals, to put in place a suitable framework. This is the purpose of the MidParc industrial free zone near Casablanca airport, which will open soon. It is also the mission of our training center, the Institute of Aeronautical Professions (IMA), managed by the profession with the support of the state, opened in May 2011 and located in the same place. It welcomes young people with baccalaureate to bac+2 levels. We have just decided to double its capacity, meaning initial training for 1,000 young people per year in the future.
Regarding the Midparc export free zone, which is ultimately to cover more than 120 hectares, and which you chair, it has been planned for a long time but is still not open?
I can assure you that the development work is nearing completion. This industrial park will be operational in September 2013 with the completion of the customs center, and I hope the first installations. And Bombardier is therefore building its plant there. In fact, we are planning the official opening of Midparc on September 30 as part of a major promotional operation that will bring together several hundred companies and clients around the Aerospace meeting Casablanca business convention, which will be held at that time (September 30 to October 2, Editor's note).
Apart from Bombardier, which has therefore decided to set up in this free zone, do you have any firm commitments from manufacturers to date?
There are several companies with which advanced discussions are underway and even contracts are being prepared. Wait for the Bourget show for any announcements...
Benbrahim El-Andaloussi, from RAM to GIMAS
Before becoming president of the Moroccan Aeronautics and Space Industries Group (GIMAS), Hamid Benbrahim Al-Andaloussi began his career at RAM (Royal Air Maroc) in 1969. He successively held the positions of head of the operations department, general delegate in France, commercial director, in charge of central planning and information systems, director of strategy, participations and international affairs, deputy general manager in charge of commercial affairs, and then president of MATIS Aerospace, a subsidiary of RAM. He has been twice decorated by the King of Morocco. In 2004, he received the insignia of the Ouissam Al-Arch of the Order of Officer, rewarding a 35-year career in the service of RAM while he was deputy general manager for commercial affairs of the national company. In 2009, he was decorated with the Ouissam of National Merit of the Order of Commander during the celebrations of the 11th anniversary of the King's accession to the Throne.
Interview by Pierre-Olivier Rouaud.
Usinenouvelle.com
Published June 10, 2013.
Posted online June 10, 2013.
L'Usine Nouvelle: The Moroccan aeronautics industry will once again be exhibiting at the Bourget air show, via a GIMAS stand. What is the purpose of this presence?
Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi: It demonstrates the importance that this sector has taken on in our country in recent years and its growth. We are experiencing activity growth of around 20% per year with around 10,000 jobs in industry and services, which is why we decided to be exhibitors in synergy with the Moroccan state, which has made the development of aeronautics one of its priorities within the framework of its industrial strategy known as "Emergence".
What do you want to showcase?
Morocco is positioning itself as an aeronautical production base, building on what has existed for a long time in Europe and following a logic of co-location for Western companies seeking competitiveness. In our country, there are currently 106 industrial or aeronautical service companies covering a wide range: harnesses, mechanics, assembly, electronics, composites, maintenance, etc. Safran, which I chair here, has 6 subsidiaries in Morocco. Boeing is present via Matis. Bombardier, as you know, is building a component plant near Casablanca airport, and we also welcome many leading European SMEs.
Is the Bourget show a communication operation for you?
We are not going to the Bourget show just for show. I can tell you that we have already confirmed many high-level meetings with potential investors and established a busy schedule of meetings to present "Morocco's offer" and, above all, to discuss concrete development projects. As you know, on a global scale, the aeronautics sector is a small world. And what has been happening in our country for about 5 years has not gone unnoticed. Some of these meetings will continue discussions started at the Farnborough Airshow last year. This edition of the Bourget Airshow should therefore be the occasion for new announcements concerning aeronautics in Morocco!
What is the balance sheet for the aeronautics sector in Morocco for 2012?
It was a good year. We saw investments from companies such as Mecachrome and Ratier Figeac. And, while waiting for the opening of its Casablanca plant, the Canadian group Bombardier has already started training employees and even producing parts in a relay workshop. In total, 20 new aeronautical companies have set up in Morocco over the last period. GIMAS, for its part, now includes 76 companies that represent 95% of the sector's activity. (Editor's note: GIMAS estimated Moroccan aeronautical exports at €470 million in 2011).
This industry is still nascent in Morocco, since some components are sometimes reshipped to Europe just to be certified?
What you describe was phase 1 of our development. That is all behind us. It's obsolete. We are engaged in writing phase 2, namely climbing further up the value chain. We must also open up to other markets, I'm thinking of security-defense, onboard equipment, composites, and also develop engineering and design capacity. We must also continue to attract European SMEs to our country who need, for part of their activity, a highly competitive production base that is geographically close.
Do you benefit from the good health of the aeronautics sector?
Yes, this industry is doing quite well globally, as you know. Manufacturers' order books are full. The health of this industry contrasts with that of many others. The global growth forecast is 4 to 5% in the next 20 years. The Moroccan industry wants to take advantage of this expansion and enter the second phase I mentioned. The sustainability of the Moroccan aeronautical supply chain depends on its enrichment. This is one of our concerns. We must raise our skills.
How?
By giving us the means, through the joint action of the Moroccan state and professionals, to put in place a suitable framework. This is the purpose of the MidParc industrial free zone near Casablanca airport, which will open soon. It is also the mission of our training center, the Institute of Aeronautical Professions (IMA), managed by the profession with the support of the state, opened in May 2011 and located in the same place. It welcomes young people with baccalaureate to bac+2 levels. We have just decided to double its capacity, meaning initial training for 1,000 young people per year in the future.
Regarding the Midparc export free zone, which is ultimately to cover more than 120 hectares, and which you chair, it has been planned for a long time but is still not open?
I can assure you that the development work is nearing completion. This industrial park will be operational in September 2013 with the completion of the customs center, and I hope the first installations. And Bombardier is therefore building its plant there. In fact, we are planning the official opening of Midparc on September 30 as part of a major promotional operation that will bring together several hundred companies and clients around the Aerospace meeting Casablanca business convention, which will be held at that time (September 30 to October 2, Editor's note).
Apart from Bombardier, which has therefore decided to set up in this free zone, do you have any firm commitments from manufacturers to date?
There are several companies with which advanced discussions are underway and even contracts are being prepared. Wait for the Bourget show for any announcements...
Benbrahim El-Andaloussi, from RAM to GIMAS
Before becoming president of the Moroccan Aeronautics and Space Industries Group (GIMAS), Hamid Benbrahim Al-Andaloussi began his career at RAM (Royal Air Maroc) in 1969. He successively held the positions of head of the operations department, general delegate in France, commercial director, in charge of central planning and information systems, director of strategy, participations and international affairs, deputy general manager in charge of commercial affairs, and then president of MATIS Aerospace, a subsidiary of RAM. He has been twice decorated by the King of Morocco. In 2004, he received the insignia of the Ouissam Al-Arch of the Order of Officer, rewarding a 35-year career in the service of RAM while he was deputy general manager for commercial affairs of the national company. In 2009, he was decorated with the Ouissam of National Merit of the Order of Commander during the celebrations of the 11th anniversary of the King's accession to the Throne.
Interview by Pierre-Olivier Rouaud.
Usinenouvelle.com
Published June 10, 2013.
Posted online June 10, 2013.
