£60m manufacturing plant for Solihull moves a stage nearer
A NEW £60m advanced manufacturing and technology facility at Birmingham Business Park has moved a stage nearer development.
Aero Engine Controls (AEC), a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Goodrich, is currently based at Hall Green in Birmingham but wants to move to a 24-acre site on the business park to provide scope for growth.
The new facility will incorporate a 250,000 sq ft technology, design, development, manufacturing and testing facility, with associated expansion space.
The move will see more than 1,100 of AEC’s staff relocate from their current premises at Shaftmoor Lane and York Road into a new state-of-the-art facility. If everything proceeds to schedule then the facility could be open in 2014.
AEC said the move was subject to planning approval and a planning application is now being prepared for the new facility. This will be submitted to Solihull Borough Council during the spring and will be a preceded by a public consultation.
Simon Burr, CEO of AEC said: “We’re delighted to announce plans to grow our business by investing in a new facility in Solihull.
“Having our Birmingham design and manufacturing operations under one roof, combined with more space and a state-of-the-art facility will allow us to be much more efficient and strengthen our ability to attract employees.
“We have a long history in the area and I am looking forward to meeting with local people as we look to make Birmingham Business Park our long-term home.”
Cllr Ken Meeson, leader of Solihull Council and a board member of the Great Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, has welcomed the move.
“It’s great news that we are one step closer to AEC relocating to the borough. We have an international reputation as centre of excellence for advanced engineering, and with AEC’s investment this reputation can only be strengthened,” he said.
He said the borough was confident that as AEC’s business grew it would be able to supply skilled labour needed to sustain the operation.
James Raven, development director for Goodman’s UK business parks, said: “This is tremendous news which represents a significant stepping stone in the on-going process in the development of this major new facility. Birmingham Business Park is already one of the region’s most established and vibrant business communities, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Aero Engine Controls to the park’s growing portfolio of companies.”
