Samlesbury expansion plan takes off
THE first phase of BAE Systems’ £800m investment in Lancashire is to begin in the next month.
The defence giant, which revealed its plans for major development, extension and infrastructure work at its Samlesbury site to support the construction of the new F35 Lightning II fighter there, is to spend £14m on a new 9,000 sq metre machining plant.
The building will house equipment and systems for manufacturing titanium components for the F-35 Lightning II. Construction work will start during April and the building will be structurally complete nest March 2010 before becoming operational in September 2010.
Of the 18 state-of-the-art hard-metal machines that will be installed in the new facility, 16 will be linked by flexible manufacturing systems that will deliver maximum efficiency and performance.
Dave Holmes, BAE Systems director of investment and infrastructure aervices said: “The facility has been ‘future-proofed’, with flexibility and ease of maintenance designed into both the building and the machinery inside it. Environmental considerations were also important in the design.”
To reduce the carbon footprint and running costs, the building will feature energy-efficient heating and ventilation, there will be full metering of energy use, water-reducing features are included and lighting will be controlled by motion and daylight sensors.
In support of BAE Systems objective to promote sustainable travel to employees, a bus stop, cycle paths, cycle shelters and shower facilities will also be integral to the design.
At peak production BAE Systems will be producing one set of F-35 Lightning II components each day. The F35-contract will create around 800 jobs in the next few years.
