Labinal Power Systems (Safran) announced it will increase work at its joint venture common with Boeing: Morocco Aero-Technical Interconnect Systems (MATIS) over the next four years, with new contracts. It will include new work from Labinal Power Systems for the latest Dassault Falcon 5X, the LEAP program, a new generation engine designed and developed by CFM International, the 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran) and GE, and for the Boeing 787.

In response, MATIS announced it will add 47,150 square feet (4,380 square meters) of production, office, and cafeteria space to its manufacturing facility in Nouasseur while hiring 400 new employees to handle the increased workload. MATIS will begin construction of additional production space in 2015 with completion expected in 2016. The company will progressively increase its employment as work is added, reaching 1,200 full time positions by 2018.

“Morocco is a strategic footprint for Safran and its subsidiary, Labinal Power Systems, which has been established there for over 13 years and employs today 2,000 workers. The expansion of MATIS Aerospace is the result of Labinal Power Systems' will to develop its presence in Morocco. It also a sign of our long term relationship with Boeing, that is both our customer and partner”, said Alain Sauret, Chairman and CEO of Labinal Power Systems.

Safran has been present in Morocco since the founding of Snecma Morocco Engine Services (SMES) in 1999. This 51-49 joint-venture with Royal Air Maroc was created to maintain Boeing 737- and Airbus 320-style aircraft engines. SMES is now Africa's leading provider of maintenance services for CFM56 engine, made by Safran-GE joint-venture CFM, the most widely sold engine worldwide.

Today, three of Safran's business lines are present in Morocco, namely aeronautics, defense, and security. The group employs around 3,300 people onsite and is supported by a substantial industrial base made up of eight subsidiaries and joint- ventures specialized in engineering and biometric security as well as engine, electric cabling system and engine nacelle.