UTC Aerospace Systems recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by dignitaries, partners and suppliers to celebrate the inauguration of its new Propeller Systems facility in Casablanca, Morocco.

The new subsidiary, Ratier-Figeac Maroc, (RFM) is UTC Aerospace Systems' first facility in Africa. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of RFM in Morocco and to build partnerships within the community. This is a great opportunity for UTC Aerospace Systems to expand operations and grow our Propeller Systems business,” said Michel Ferey, who leads the Propeller Systems business at UTC Aerospace Systems.

RFM was created in January 2011 as part of an ongoing Propeller Systems' cost reduction strategy. During the facility's construction, RFM technicians trained at the IMA ("Institut des Metiers de l'Aeronautique") - the Moroccan Institute specialized in training in aeronautical activities. Employees began working onsite at the RFM facility in Morocco upon the building's completion in March 2012.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the inauguration included a tour of the RFM assembly shop and several speeches by key dignitaries, including the French Ambassador in Morocco, the President of the GIMAS, and the Moroccan Minister Abdelkader Amara, who thanked the Propeller Systems' team for its confidence in Morocco to build this new industrial site.

The RFM facility covers 46,000 square feet, and is specialized in the assembly of cockpit controls and cabin equipment.

UTC Aerospace Systems' Propeller Systems unit designs, manufactures and services propeller systems, cockpit controls, cabin equipment  and Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator (THSA) systems for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft..

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.