Following rumors in the Moroccan press in recent months, Pratt & Whitney confirmed Tuesday during the Paris Airshow it will launch an affiliate, Pratt & Whitney Maroc (PWM), in Casablanca to manufacture detailed static and structural machined parts for various engine models.
"Morocco offers many benefits for aerospace manufacturing,” said Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada. "The growing aerospace community in Casablanca ensures a highly valuable talent pool, a positive economic environment, and the support from Morocco's government."
The investment aligns with Raytheon Technologies' strategy to expand engine manufacturing capacity and be close to airline partners, she said. There are about 3,000 P&W engines flying on the African continent, P&W executives noted during a briefing on Tuesday.
The 130,000-sq-ft greenfield facility will occupy Casablanca's MidParc Free Zone. Construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the company plans to open the plant in 2025. According to Della Posta, the facility will create 200 jobs by 2030.
"P&W investment in Morocco will strengthen our aerospace ecosystem by fostering innovation, research, and the development of new technologies," said a representative of the Moroccan Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies. "It will create job opportunities for our talented youth, foster knowledge transfer, and promote collaboration between local and international stakeholders."