German passive vehicle safety and steering wheel manufacturing group ZF Lifetec has inaugurated a new factory at Morocco's Tanger Med industrial platform, dedicated to producing steering systems for vehicles. Spanning 8,000 m², the high-tech facility marks a key milestone in the company's strategic expansion at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. Production is already underway, and the site currently employs around 300 people, ZF Lifetec announced in a statement. This new plant joins a dynamic ecosystem of over 160 tier-1, tier-2, and tier-3 suppliers operating within Tanger Automotive City, Morocco's flagship automotive hub. It becomes the 51st global site for ZF Lifetec, with output serving both local and European markets. The company emphasized that this move strengthens its position as a major player in passive safety systems and aligns with its strategy of staying close to key markets and clients. The inauguration ceremony brought together representatives from Tanger Med, public authorities, and senior ZF Lifetec executives, highlighting a strong partnership between industrial and institutional players. «In line with our sustainability commitments, we aim to shorten supply chains and manufacture as close to our markets as possible. It's also a way to reduce risk», said Rudolf Stark, CEO of ZF Lifetec. He praised Morocco's advanced infrastructure, skilled workforce, and proximity to customers, calling it a long-term strategic choice. «The steering wheel is the tangible interface between driver and vehicle—an ergonomic and sensory product that requires precision craftsmanship combined with cutting-edge technology. Morocco brings both», he added. Ahmed Bennis, Managing Director of Tanger Med Zones (TMZ), noted that ZF Lifetec's arrival reinforces the platform's ambition to build long-term partnerships with leading global automotive suppliers. «ZF Lifetec joins a rapidly growing Moroccan automotive ecosystem driven by local integration, efficient logistics, and cost competitiveness—pillars of a forward-looking industry», he said. Situated at the heart of Tanger Med's industrial platform, the plant benefits from direct access to Africa's leading port complex and a well-established, competitive industrial network. The site also aligns with ZF Lifetec's regional strategy, creating a production triangle with its facilities in O Porriño (Spain) and Vila Nova (Portugal), further consolidating the group's footprint in the automotive sector. As of the end of 2024, Tanger Med's 3,000-hectare industrial platform hosts over 1,400 companies, generating nearly 130,000 jobs and a combined business volume of $17.22 billion in key sectors including automotive, aerospace, logistics, textiles, and trade.
