Motherwell Bridge Industries, the engineering division of Hili Ventures, has acquired Techniplus, a multi-disciplined engineering firm in Morocco, from its long-standing partner Konecranes of Finland.

Techniplus maintains and services port cargo handling equipment. Its major customers include the operators of Morocco’s largest ports at Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir and Jorf Lasfar, manufacturers, steel plants, and mining companies.

Over the past 10 years, Motherwell Bridge Industries has installed over 200 port container cranes at key terminals in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia for Konecranes.

With its 150-strong staff complement – most of which based in the ports – Techniplus almost triples the size of Motherwell Bridge Industries and strategically extends its footprint to North Africa. Hili Ventures was successfully active in logistics, engineering and banking hardware servicing in North Africa until recently and the group is keen to re-enter the region to tap its commercial potential.

“Techniplus conducts business in Mauritania, Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria and there are significant business prospects in the wider region,” Motherwell Bridge Industries managing director Tony Mallia said. “With a foothold in Morocco, we will be able to expand its growing marine engineering services activities beyond the central Mediterranean. We are looking forward to combining the expertise of the Malta and Morocco teams and leveraging synergies to benefit existing and new customers.”

Alexei Sciberras is Techniplus’ new general manager.

Motherwell Bridge Industries specialises in on-site construction and maintenance of port-handling equipment; non-destructive testing inspections; technical training; tooling, and marine engine overhauling and servicing. It is the Malta partner for Konecranes, Hoffmann, Tranter, Terberg, TSI and others.

Operating from a 15,240 square metre workshop in Ħal Far industrial park, the company is able to deploy specialist teams at sites in various regions simultaneously.