Sentury has launched a plant in Morocco

On September 30, the Chinese company Sentury Tires officially launched production at its new tire plant, located 35 km from the port of Tangier in Morocco. The launch ceremony was attended by the company's chairman, Qin Long, and the first products to be manufactured were 17- and 18-inch diameter tires.

The planned capacity of the Moroccan plant is 12 million passenger car tires per year, with products intended for sale both domestically and on export markets. Construction began in the summer of 2023, with initial investment volumes amounting to €297 million, but the company later decided to redirect investments initially intended for the opening of a plant in Spain (where difficulties arose in obtaining necessary permits) and double the capacity of the African plant.

Sentury notes that the decision to localize production in Morocco was driven by a number of factors, including the fact that the plant in Thailand is struggling to meet existing demand on the global market, creating a need to expand capacity. Additionally, having its own facility in Morocco provides quick access to international markets, primarily European and African, which should enable the company to increase sales on key export routes.

Some of the new plant's personnel underwent training in Thailand, and the company adds that its opening aligns with Morocco's national strategy for developing the automotive industry, attracting foreign investors, creating new jobs, and increasing exports of automotive components.

Sentury also owns two plants in China and Thailand, with a combined capacity of 22 million tires per year, and produces products under brands such as Landsail, Delinte, and others.

Recently, the Korean company Hankook opened its own representative office in Morocco, stating its intention to increase its presence in the Maghreb and West African countries.