Jaguar Land Rover announces £200m investment in West Midlands operation
Vehicle manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has announced it is to invest a further £200m into the development of its West Midlands operation.
The company intends to develop a new design and engineering centre at its site at Gaydon in Warwickshire.
The expansion of the Gaydon site represents the first major construction project at one of the company’s non-manufacturing sites in over a decade.
The development is intended to become one of the world’s foremost automotive product, engineering and design sites. The new centre fits in with the company’s ambitious plans for continued global growth.
The announcement has been welcomed by Chancellor Philip Hammond, who was visiting the West Midlands for the formal launch of the new Midlands Engine Strategy.
Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, Mr Hammond said: “JLR is a great champion for the area and the company’s investment is key to what we are trying to achieve with the Midlands Engine.”
The Chancellor had begun his visit to the region at Dudley College, where he spoke to students about their career plans.
“A great many of the students at Dudley College mentioned Jaguar Land Rover when I asked them about their future plans. Whether they end up working there remains to be seen but it is beacon for them and they can see growth in action,” he added.
Chris Elliott, Property Programmes Director for Jaguar Land Rover, said the new centre was a testament both to Jaguar Land Rover’s heritage of innovation and its vision for future vehicle technology.
“The new space will centralise our design, product engineering and purchasing functions in an original and modern environment, as well as creating additional capacity for the future,” he said.
JLR worked with architectural practice Bennetts Associates to design the scheme and has engaged Laing O’Rourke as its construction partner. Laing O’Rourke will develop the site to create a unique landscaped campus comprising new offices and Jaguar and Land Rover design centres.
In recent years JLR has invested heavily in its UK vehicle manufacturing facilities at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull. It has also made significant progress in building its international manufacturing presence over the last year, with a new manufacturing facility under construction in Slovakia and the opening of its plant in Brazil.
Over the past five years the company has employed more than 20,000 people, taking its workforce to more than 40,000. The company has invested more than £11bn in new product creation and capital expenditure.
Another figure to welcome the announcement is Conservative candidate for West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, who met with senior representatives from JLR’s parent company Tata Group earlier this month.
Mr Street said: “Jaguar Land Rover has been one of the West Midlands’ economic success stories, driving our job creation and export success, as well as providing a major boost for large and small companies across the supply chain.
“This new development is exactly the kind of thing we were talking about – although they did not reveal this specific proposal.
“Tata told me how important it was to their plans for the West Midlands that the region continues to ensure a steady stream of new investment and skills development.”
