Julianne Furman is part of the very first graduating class of Al Akhawayn University in 1996. As the Managing Director of automotive supplier Polydesign Systems, she is also involved in multiple organizations where she serves as a bridge to her country of origin, the United States.
An American by nationality, Julianne Furman began her career in diplomacy, working in Washington and then in Guinea, before changing paths. Now the Managing Director of Polydesign Systems in Tangier, she later enrolled at Al Akhawayn University, where she earned an MBA in Finance in 1996—making her part of AUI’s very first graduating class.
After completing her MBA, she decided to remain in Morocco to contribute her expertise to the country she now considers her own. She joined the Moroccan-American Council for Trade and Investment, where she served as an ambassador for Morocco to American investors.
In 2001, she was entrusted with leading Polydesign Systems, a subsidiary of the Exco Automotive Group based in the Tangier Free Zone. Twenty-three years later, the company—specialized in interior equipment and components—has become a cornerstone of Morocco’s automotive industry. It now employs over 1,600 people and supplies major carmakers such as Renault, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, Ford, Volvo, BMW, JLR, and Daimler. “Each week, Polydesign exports to 120 destinations across 26 countries around the world,” she reveals.
Discipline and flexibility
This growth, according to the Managing Director of Polydesign, stems from “the agility, autonomy, and culture that define the company within its ecosystem.” To attain first-tier supplier status with major automotive manufacturers, a company must meet extremely strict standards and demonstrate significant flexibility. Polydesign boasts the first accredited quality laboratory for automotive testing in Morocco. The company has also embraced renewable energy, installing a 1.2 MW solar power plant in 2022.
Founder of the Association of Investors in the Tangier Export Free Zone (AIZFET), Julianne Furman also serves on the boards of CGEM Tangier-Tetouan, the National Business Council, and the Moroccan-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
She is actively involved with the Fulbright Commission and the UN Global Compact. Believing firmly that companies have a responsibility to their communities, the Polydesign director is engaged in various social causes, including cancer prevention and the promotion of education.
Outside of her professional commitments, Julianne Furman is passionate about classical music. Her instrument of choice—the piano—has been a personal refuge since childhood.
Written in French by Jankari Consulting, edited in English by Nielson English
