The trek to Tangier got off to a late start because of heavy rain in Casablanca, but after a 4.5 hour van ride, we arrived at the Tangier Med Port Authority.
There we were promptly greeted by Monsieur Madani (Project Manager), Monsieur Bougattaya (Shipment/Container Activity Manager) and Mademoiselle Sliman (Logistics staff member). After a glass of green tea in a stylish waiting room, decked out with elegant white leather sofas, glass coffee tables and a large flat screen television, we watched a short video clip of the Port Authority. We also took in a panoramic view of the Strait of Gibraltar from the glass-enclosed upper level of the Port’s Headquarters Building. The scenery was breathtaking. The coast of Spain, only 14 km away, fills the horizon.
The three young Port Authority administrators then took us on a tour and showed us the warehouses for several international firms such as Emirates Supply Chain Services (affiliates of Adidas sportswear), Decathlon (another sportwear company), and SJL Mediteraneé (a transportation and logistics firm).
We were then treated to a wonderful lunch which included various appetizers (fried pita chips, diced eggplant, potato and cheese soup), delectable entrées and flan topped with dark chocolate and walnuts for dessert. Our interpreter, Hamida, reminded us of our next appointment, so we hopped in a taxi to our next appointment within the Tangier Free Zone.
There we met with Mohammed-Ali Saidi (Ph.D.) who is the Operations Director/General Director of trim and foam at Lear Corporation, a Fortune 500 manufacturing company and Tier 1 supplier based in Southfield Michigan, which specializes in automotive seating and electrical distribution systems. Monsieur Saidi answered many questions relative to production and design, workforce relations and research and development.
Monsieur Saidi explained that Lear is the second largest employer in Tangier, where the staff is comprised of 21% female workers and 78% male employees. He further explained that he manages a highly motivated and efficient staff who are well compensated compared to the average worker in the automotive industry. However, Monsieur Saidi also pointed out that the company needs to recruit more first-line supervisors and team leaders who can serve as mentors for the young population of Lear’s junior staff members and future leaders. Although we were not able to tour the factory floor, we were able to observe the workers in action from a glass enclosed window from Monsieur Saidi’s office. With its international connection to the U.S. and other countries abroad, Lear Corporation has a clear vision for future growth and expansion with plans to build a stronger indigenous workforce as one of Morocco’s leading suppliers within the automotive industry.
It was an enlightening yet exhausting day in Tangiers—however, it was definitely time well spent with the young pioneers at Morocco’s Port Authority as well as the seasoned leader and his talented team at Lear Corporation. With proper workforce recruitment and investment, Tangier has the potential to become a gateway and hub for African commerce and trade over the next few decades.