Huge inward investment boost for MIRA as Haldex confirms its arrival
SWEDISH automotive firm Haldex is to create its new European Technical Centre in the first bespoke facility to be created at MIRA Technology Park.
Haldex – which develops and provides reliable and innovative solutions that improve safety, vehicle dynamics, and environmental sustainability in the global commercial vehicle industry – is taking 25,500 sq ft of space for the centre at MIRA, the 1.75m sq ft technology park near Nuneaton in Warwickshire.
The firm plans to undertake research and development for its global products. The facility will include laboratory facilities and allow Haldex engineers direct access to MIRA’s test facilities and its engineering expertise.
Those running MIRA see the announcement as a key landmark in the first phase of the £300m technology park development, which was granted Enterprise Zone status in 2011.
Terry Spall, the park’s commercial director, said: “We believe they are a great addition to the developing technology cluster and to the region as a whole. This new technical centre will bring an initial 44 high tech jobs to the technology park and we are very excited to be part of this significant milestone for Haldex.
“MIRA Technology Park has been purposely created to offer international businesses the ideal location for their European research and development operations and having made significant progress in the last 18 months with the successful completion of phase one of the development.
“We believe Haldex, who are making a substantial investment into MIRA Technology Park, really are placing themselves at the very heart of Europe’s automotive research and development community.”
Bo Annvik, president and CEO at Haldex, said: “The relocation of our European R&D Centre to MIRA Technology Park will allow us to expand our engineering capabilities and benefit from integrating at one site our world class design and development resources with the multiple test track facilities at MIRA.
“We look forward to be a part of the MIRA community, and we believe that this initiative will be a key strategic step in supporting our development that will benefit both Haldex and our customers.”
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles sees the move as vindication of the policy to establish Enterprise Zones.
“When international companies like Haldex invest here it shows we have got our offer right,” he said.
“Every 20 seconds a car, van, bus or truck rolls off a UK production line and Enterprise Zones like MIRA Technology Park are magnets for the global motor industry with the best international businesses choosing them as their home.”
