MRO & Manufacturing
Böllhoff and Collins Aerospace Strengthen A320 Supply Chain in Casablanca
Böllhoff and Collins Aerospace establish a local supply chain in Casablanca for Airbus A320 parts, boosting Morocco’s aerospace industry.
This article summarizes reporting by Barlamane.
Böllhoff and Collins Aerospace Consolidate A320 Supply Chain in Casablanca
The Moroccan aerospace sector is demonstrating a new level of industrial maturity as key global players deepen their local integration. According to reporting by Barlamane, German fastening technology specialist Böllhoff and American aerospace manufacturer Collins Aerospace are currently refining a highly integrated industrial setup in Casablanca’s Midparc Free Zone. This collaborative ecosystem is specifically dedicated to the production and assembly of precision mechanical parts for the Airbus A320 program.
By co-locating specialized fastener production with advanced component assembly lines, the two aviation suppliers are establishing a resilient, localized supply chain. This strategic alignment significantly reduces logistics costs and shortens lead times, reinforcing Morocco’s growing reputation as a highly competitive hub capable of supporting complex aerospace Manufacturing.
As of April 2026, the Partnerships has moved from initial facility certification into an active optimization phase, synchronizing production rates to meet the high-volume demands of the global Commercial-Aircraft market.
The Midparc Synergy: Localizing Precision Mechanics
Collins Aerospace and the A320neo Demand
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, has been a cornerstone of Morocco’s aerospace industry since establishing its presence in 2011. The company’s Casablanca facility specializes in the final assembly and testing of commercial aircraft cockpit and cabin equipment. To support the surging demand for the Airbus A320neo family, Collins expanded its Casablanca plant by 40 percent in 2019, dedicating new capacity to the production of critical rudder controls, alongside actuators for the Boeing 777X, according to industry data.
These complex flight control assemblies require thousands of highly specific, aerospace-grade precision fasteners. Historically, such components would be imported from Europe or the United States, exposing the production line to global shipping vulnerabilities and extended lead times.
Böllhoff’s Strategic Integration
To bridge this Supply-Chain gap, the Böllhoff Group, a family-owned global leader in fastening technologies with over €800 million in annual turnover across 43 production sites, established a neighboring presence. In March 2024, Böllhoff became the first German company in its sector to invest in Morocco, setting up a 2,000-square-meter facility in the Midparc industrial zone.
Following facility occupation in May 2024 and rigorous aerospace certification processes, Böllhoff initiated its first customer deliveries in early 2025. Today, Collins Aerospace sources its precision mechanical parts directly from Böllhoff’s adjacent facility. Barlamane reports that the two entities are now “refining” this setup, which involves ensuring zero-defect quality control and streamlining just-in-time logistics between the two Midparc sites.
Economic Impact and Industrial Sovereignty
Building a Billion-Dollar Ecosystem
The collaboration between Böllhoff and Collins Aerospace is a direct realization of Morocco’s broader industrial strategy. In July 2022, Collins Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan government to cultivate a local supply ecosystem. The stated objectives of this agreement include building a robust network of local suppliers, creating 800 new jobs, and generating $1 billion in cumulative turnover by 2032.
The arrival of specialized Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers like Böllhoff is critical to meeting these targets. During the announcement of Böllhoff’s investment in March 2024, Moroccan officials highlighted the strategic importance of the move.
“This is the first time a German investor specializing in fastening technologies and assembly and logistics solutions has settled in Morocco… diversifying our industrial partnerships.”
, Ryad Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Commerce (March 2024)
Similarly, Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President of Midparc, noted at the time that Böllhoff’s integration of “differentiating technologies” would contribute significantly to the nation’s pursuit of industrial sovereignty. For Böllhoff, the investment was driven by proximity to key clients. Co-director Michael W. Böllhoff stated in 2024 that the company wanted to grow close to its local customers, integrating both production and logistics on Moroccan soil.
AirPro News analysis
The deepening integration at the Midparc Free Zone illustrates a broader shift in global aerospace manufacturing. Post-COVID-19, major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Airbus have placed immense pressure on Tier-1 suppliers, such as Collins Aerospace, to de-risk their supply chains. By creating a localized, self-sufficient ecosystem in Casablanca, Collins insulates its A320 production lines from the types of global shipping disruptions that have plagued the industry in recent years.
Furthermore, this setup highlights Morocco’s successful transition up the aerospace value chain. The country is no longer viewed merely as a low-cost destination for basic wiring or simple sheet metal work. The localized production of precision mechanics proves that Morocco can sustain deep industrial integration. Additionally, sourcing heavy metallic fasteners locally rather than flying them across continents aligns perfectly with the aerospace industry’s aggressive decarbonization and Scope 3 emissions reduction targets. Because the Airbus A320 family remains the most in-demand commercial aircraft globally, securing this specific supply chain cements Casablanca as an indispensable node in the future of aviation manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the Böllhoff and Collins Aerospace partnership in Morocco?
The two companies have co-located in Casablanca’s Midparc Free Zone to create an integrated supply chain for the Airbus A320 program. Böllhoff manufactures precision aerospace fasteners locally, which Collins Aerospace then uses to assemble critical flight components, such as rudder controls.
When did Böllhoff establish its presence in Casablanca?
Böllhoff signed an agreement to invest in Morocco in March 2024, occupied its 2,000-square-meter facility in May 2024, and began its first customer deliveries in early 2025 after completing aerospace certifications.
What are the economic targets for the Collins Aerospace ecosystem in Morocco?
Under a July 2022 agreement with the Moroccan government, the Collins Aerospace local supply ecosystem aims to create 800 jobs and generate $1 billion in cumulative turnover by the year 2032.
Sources: Barlamane, Web Research Report
Photo Credit: Aerospace Manufacturing
MRO & Manufacturing
Baxter Aerospace Invests $19.55M in Utah Manufacturing Facility
Baxter Aerospace expands into Washington County, Utah with a $19.55M facility to scale UAS and satellite comms production.
Baxter Aerospace will invest $19.55 million to lease and equip a new manufacturing facility in Washington County, Utah, transitioning its unmanned aircraft and communications systems from prototype development into full-scale production.
The expansion, announced in an October 8, 2026, press release by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), is projected to create 90 high-paying jobs over the next five years while strengthening the state’s aerospace and defense industrial base.
Transitioning to full-scale production
The new facility in Washington City will feature high-capacity infrastructure, specialized testing spaces, and security systems. This site is designed to support mission-critical work across aerospace, defense, satellite communications, autonomous aircraft, and public safety.
Baxter Aerospace CEO Jeff Baxter stated that expanding in southern Utah allows the company to increase manufacturing capacity and support growing customer needs. He noted the company is prepared to help shape the region’s aerospace future.
The project is backed by a Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) post-performance tax credit approved by the GOED. Under the agreement, Baxter Aerospace can earn a rebate of up to 30% on new state revenues generated over the five-year term, capped at $456,939.
State officials project the expansion will generate $20,758,160 in new state wages and $1,523,131 in new state tax revenue during that period. GOED Commissioner Jefferson Moss noted that the investment signals Utah’s economic future is fueled by frontier innovation. Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow added that the expansion connects local talent with emerging aerospace opportunities.
Scaling the BA-1 Dragonfly and defense portfolio
The manufacturing expansion follows a period of steady growth for the St. George-based defense and aerospace innovator. Brothers Jeff and Michael Baxter founded the company in 2015 following a severe Oregon wildfire, focusing their initial efforts on real-time sensing, resilient communications, and autonomous systems for emergency response and defense applications.
The company’s flagship aerospace product is the BA-1 Dragonfly. The Dragonfly is a Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, featuring over 12 hours of endurance.
Alongside the BA-1 Dragonfly, Baxter Aerospace produces deployable broadband satellite communications kits that utilize low Earth orbit (LEO) networks. The company also manufactures precision components for the fusion and nuclear energy sectors.
To support the scaling of these product lines, Baxter Aerospace secured a $6 million Series A funding round in July 2025. The capital was raised from the Department of Defense (DoD) Accelerator fund, managed by Accuidity Capital Management, specifically to accelerate production of the Dragonfly system and the deployable communications kits. The new Washington County facility represents the physical infrastructure required to execute that production scale-up between late 2026 and 2031.
Photo Credit: Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development
MRO & Manufacturing
IAI 777-300ERSF P2F Conversions Launch in North America
The first Boeing 777-300ER for P2F conversion in North America arrives at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona.
The first Boeing 777-300ER slated for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion in North America arrived at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona, on October 22, 2026. The induction marks the regional launch of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) modification program for the widebody twinjet.
The arrival of the World Star Aviation aircraft initiates operations at a newly expanded site designed to increase global capacity for the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, according to a joint press release issued by the companies.
Expanding global conversion capacity
Ascent Aviation Services, an independent aircraft aftermarket service provider and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class IV Part 145 certified repair station, will operate two parallel conversion lines at its Pinal Air Park campus. To accommodate the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, the company invested $70 million to construct two 90,000-square-foot widebody hangars. Ascent broke ground on the facilities on March 29, 2024, effectively tripling the site’s hangar capacity.
“The launch of Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions in North America marks an important milestone for IAI’s global conversion program,” Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI Aviation Group, stated in the release. “Together with Ascent Aviation Services, we are expanding production capacity and bringing our conversion capabilities closer to customers in the region.”
Ascent Aviation Services chief executive officer David Querio noted that the induction represents the beginning of a long-term partnership with IAI, with multiple Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions planned for the Marana site.
“Our vision is to shape the future of aviation by turning engineering innovation into lasting value for our customers,” IAI president and chief executive officer Guy Bar Lev added. “Passenger-to-freighter conversions are a key part of that vision, extending the productive life of aircraft and helping airlines adapt to changing market needs.”
World Star Aviation’s fleet strategy
The inaugural aircraft belongs to World Star Aviation, a full-service aircraft and engine lessor headquartered in London. The company specializes in mid-to-late life assets and manages a portfolio of approximately 150 aircraft and engines. This includes 60 narrowbody and widebody freighters currently on lease to cargo operators globally.
World Star Aviation partner Yoyo Allalouf cited the strength of the IAI program during a critical period for widebody passenger-to-freighter production as the primary driver for their selection.
“IAI’s dominance in the widebody P2F space, demonstrated by its Boeing 747 and 767 programs, together with our long-standing relationship, underpinned our decision to choose IAI for the 777-300ERSF,” added Garreth Slevin, partner at World Star Aviation.
The rise of the “Big Twin” freighter
The Boeing 777-300ERSF program, marketed as “The Big Twin,” launched on October 22, 2019, as a joint venture between IAI and GECAS, which was subsequently acquired by AerCap. It remains the only certified P2F conversion program for the Boeing 777-300ER.
The converted freighter offers 25 percent more cargo volume than a production Boeing 777-200LRF and 15 percent more volume than a Boeing 747-400BCF. This capacity positions the aircraft as a direct replacement for aging Boeing 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleets.
IAI brings over 50 years of experience to the program, having delivered more than 350 converted cargo aircraft across Boeing 747, 767, 737, and Airbus A330 platforms. The company currently holds a dominant market share in medium-size freighter conversions, particularly with the Boeing 767.
The 777-300ERSF recently transitioned from certification into commercial service. In August 2026, Challenge Group took delivery of its second 777-300ERSF, which marked the fifth redelivery of the type across the industry for the year.
AirPro News analysis
We view the activation of the Marana conversion lines as a critical step in maturing the Boeing 777-300ERSF program. By establishing a North American footprint, IAI mitigates geographic bottlenecks and provides operators with a domestic option for heavy modifications. The $70 million infrastructure investment by Ascent Aviation Services indicates strong long-term confidence in the widebody conversion market, even as the air cargo sector normalizes following pandemic-era peaks. As legacy quad-engine and tri-engine freighters approach mandatory retirement or become economically unviable, the availability of parallel conversion lines in the United States ensures IAI can capture a significant share of the impending widebody replacement cycle.
Photo Credit: IAI
MRO & Manufacturing
Cirrus Aircraft Breaks Ground on $8M Engine Run-Up Center
Cirrus Aircraft begins construction on a 15,000-sq-ft Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, MN, set to open summer 2027.
Cirrus Aircraft has commenced construction on an $8 million, 15,000-square-foot Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, Minnesota, moving critical engine testing and fuel calibration processes into a year-round, climate-controlled environment.
The new facility, detailed in a company press release on October 23, 2026, is designed to support the certification process for the SR Series, Vision Jet, and TRAC10 aircraft while reducing noise at the surrounding airport.
Centralizing certification operations
The Engine Run-Up Center will consolidate several final-phase manufacturing steps into a single enclosed building. The facility will house two calibration stalls dedicated to engine setup and testing, utilizing an 8-foot exhaust collector to ventilate the spaces. A separate climate-controlled control room will allow technicians to conduct data analysis during the testing phase.
In addition to the testing stalls, the building will include two stalls specifically engineered for fueling and defueling aircraft. These areas incorporate specialized fire protection systems and are designed to meet requirements for handling flammable fluids.
Cirrus Chief Executive Officer Zean Nielsen stated that engine run-ups and fuel system calibration are essential processes across aircraft manufacturing. He noted that the modern facility will allow the company to streamline these critical operations, improve efficiency, and provide team members with a dedicated environment to perform the work.
Expanding the Duluth manufacturing footprint
The new testing center adds to an existing corporate footprint that exceeds 1.3 million square feet. The majority of this infrastructure is located in Duluth, which serves as the primary production hub for the manufacturer.
Founded in 1984 and now publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Cirrus has manufactured more than 12,000 SR Series piston aircraft and Vision Jets to date. The groundbreaking follows closely on a major program milestone for the company. On October 21, 2026, Cirrus celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Vision Jet, the first single-engine personal jet to reach the market.
Patrick Waddick, President of Innovation & Operations at Cirrus, highlighted the scale of the company’s historical output in Duluth. He noted that the new facility expands a footprint where the company has produced its entire fleet of over 12,000 aircraft, adding that the manufacturer has spent decades challenging conventions through innovations that transform personal aviation.
Project timeline and operational impact
Construction on the Engine Run-Up Center is underway, with the facility expected to open and become fully operational by the summer of 2027. By moving engine testing indoors, the company anticipates a reduction in noise levels for the surrounding airport environment, a common challenge for manufacturers conducting high-power engine runs on open ramps.
The $8 million investment reflects broader efforts by the airframer to scale production capabilities in response to market requirements. Nielsen indicated that as the company continues to grow, investments in manufacturing infrastructure position Cirrus to meet customer demand while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Photo Credit: Cirrus Aircraft
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