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Agadir – Morocco is strengthening its position as a global automotive manufacturing hub with the inauguration of German industrial group BENTELER’s new plant in Kenitra, a project expected to create more than 300 direct jobs while expanding the country’s local automotive value chain.
The inauguration ceremony brought together Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, BENTELER Group CEO Ralf Göttel, along with company executives, employees, customers, and partners.
Located in the Atlantic Free Zone, the facility became operational just one year after construction began, aligning with the pace of Morocco’s growing industrial expansion.
“The inauguration of this new plant marks a major milestone in the continued development of Morocco’s automotive ecosystem. It strengthens the competitiveness of our industry and deepens the integration of the local value chain,” Mezzour said.
The minister described the investment as another vote of confidence in Morocco’s industrial strategy.
“BENTELER’s investment reflects the confidence placed in Morocco as an industrial hub, in its skilled workforce, and in a long-term partnership. It once again confirms the Kingdom’s attractiveness for global investors seeking a stable, high-performing environment firmly focused on innovation,” he added.
For BENTELER, the new plant represents another step in the company’s global manufacturing strategy.
“With the opening of the Kenitra plant, we are taking another important step in implementing our global growth and production strategy. This site perfectly demonstrates our ability to combine industrial excellence, customer proximity, and sustainability,” said Ralf Göttel, CEO of the BENTELER Group.
“The key to this success lies in the outstanding performance of our teams, particularly our employees on the ground, who completed this project with exceptional expertise, reliability, and commitment,” he added.
Beyond the more than 300 direct jobs, the project is also expected to generate numerous indirect employment opportunities across Morocco’s automotive supply chain.
Matthias Siemer, President of BENTELER Automotive Components Europe, said Morocco’s institutional support played a central role in bringing the project to completion.
“The close and trusting cooperation with our partners and Moroccan institutions has been a cornerstone of the successful planning and ramp-up of this project. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for their support,” Siemer said.
“With this new site in Kenitra, we are enhancing our flexibility and supply security. In line with our local-for-local production strategy, we manufacture directly within our customers’ markets,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Morocco offers BENTELER a competitive manufacturing environment thanks to its skilled workforce, strong industrial infrastructure, established automotive ecosystem, and strategic location with efficient logistics links to international markets.
The ministry also noted that the country’s growing reliance on renewable energy aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives.
The facility is scheduled to begin its production process in the summer of 2026. The plant will manufacture front and rear bumpers, torsion beam axles, impact bars, and suspension control arms for a major international automaker.
It is equipped with advanced manufacturing technologies, including a 3,200-ton cold-forming press, robotic welding systems, cathodic dip coating (CDC), and 3D laser technology.
The site integrates BENTELER’s Industry 4.0 SMART FACTORIES solutions to enhance production efficiency, maintain high quality standards, and provide end-to-end operational transparency.
