Cheshire leaders hail news of Bentley’s investment
REGIONAL business leaders have welcomed luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors’ commitment to its Cheshire base after it revealed plans to invest £800m in the production of its first SUV.
Christine Gaskell, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and a former HR director at Bentley, said: “This investment by Bentley Motors proves that we have the skilled workforce and prime sites to accommodate the growth plans of existing and new businesses.
“The Crewe site has won this project having faced stiff competition from other sites in Europe. It is great news for Crewe, Cheshire and Warrington and the UK. It shows we are still the premier location for luxury car production.”
Cheshire East council leader Cllr Michael Jones hailed the investment as as a “real vote of confidence” in the area.
“This is further proof that our economy is now on the right track and that large companies like Bentley’s are optimistic about the future. Skills lie at the heart of the announcement and the new University Technical College we are planning for 2015, which will focus on engineering, will play an important part in developing a skilled, ready-made workforce for employers like Bentley’s.
“Through our collaboration with the Local Enterprise Partnership, we are investing £50m in new infrastructure for Crewe and £300m across Cheshire and Warrington more broadly in order to create even stronger connections via rail, road and air.
“I am determined that Cheshire East will continue to be a great place to do business and become the most business-friendly council in the region, a real engine of the northern economy. My top three priorities will remain: jobs, jobs, jobs.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service said the ripple effect of Bentley’s investment would be seen outside the North West.
Rachel Eade, supply chain specialist at MAS, said: “Bentley’s decision to base production of its new SUV at Crewe further highlights the attractiveness of the UK as a great place to invest in and build cars.
“The news will also be widely welcomed by the supply chain, with between 70 and 80 component manufacturers from the West Midlands already supplying into the luxury marque.”
