French rail manufacturer Alstom announces construction of second rail factory

French multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom announced on Thursday that it is building its second production plant in Morocco, to manufacture driving carriages for regional and underground trains.

The company operates worldwide in rail transport markets and active in the fields of passenger transportation, signaling, and locomotives, producing high-speed, suburban, regional and urban trains along with trams.

Alstom is funding the construction of a second rail facility in Morocco with MAD 160 million, to produce the driving cabs for regional and subterranean railway trains, fueling the growth of the country’s rail industry.

“Thanks to the transfer of unique technology from our international sites we will be able to create a Moroccan rail center with world-class expertise. We are an established local player and we have confidence in the future of Morocco” said Mama Sougoufara, the managing director of Alstom MENAT.

According to a recent press release from the French company, this latest investment will lead to the creation of 200 direct jobs between now and 2025.

Alstom Morocco announced in 2020 that it would be expanding its Fez plant and pushing for a second production line in 2021. At the 850-person Fez facility consisting of women by 56%, the specialty is electrical wiring and Mitrac transformers production.

This second plant, which will produce driving cabs, is consistent with the Group’s aim to strengthen the local rail industry and grow the Moroccan rail ecosystem.

Mehdi Sahel, the managing director of Alstom Morocco, said “We are extremely proud to be building a new industrial site. This is a prime example of our strategy to design and develop a local ecosystem.”

“I would like to thank all the teams for the remarkable job they have done over the last few months to make these projects a reality.”

Since 2019, Alstom Maroc has invested 320 million dirhams to expand its industrial operations, culminating in the completion of 25 international projects and the creation of 1,200 new employees in the rail industry by 2025.

The manufacturer has previously produced high-speed trains that run between Casablanca and Tangier, as well as tramway vehicles for use in Rabat and Casablanca.