Work has begun on what will be the largest new manufacturing facility for 10 years in the UK at Ansty Park in Rugby as international aerospace, defence and energy engineering group Meggitt broke ground on their new global HQ.
Meggitt Chief Executive Tony Wood, and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, led a ground breaking ceremony at the Ansty Park site at an event attended by Meggitt employees, regional organisations and local dignitaries including Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.
The project will provide a base for up to 1,000 employees and combines a range of operations within a world-class aerospace engineering and technology environment. It will also serve as the new home for Meggitt’s international headquarters. The super-site is due to be operational by the end of 2019.
Alongside the engineering and manufacturing facilities available at the new factory, Meggitt will also be working with the Manufacturing Technology Centre to deliver the next generation of skilled apprentices at Ansty Park. The first cohort of 20 apprentices are due to start in the summer and some of this new generation of engineers were present at the ground breaking ceremony.
Speaking after the ground breaking ceremony, Mark said:
“Meggitt is a great success story and their decision to establish their new headquarters at Ansty Park is a tremendous vote of confidence in the West Midlands and in Rugby. Meggitt are at the cutting edge of advanced aerospace manufacturing, developing components which are used every day in thousands of aircraft throughout the commercial and defence sectors. This is precisely the kind of investment which will create highly skilled jobs and support the supply chain in the West Midlands.”
Mark continued:
“I was also delighted to be able to meet apprentices who are due to start with Meggitt. Training the next generation of skilled engineers is vital in order to deliver on the promise of a Global Britain. Meggitt recognise the importance of this and I know that the work done by the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty Park to encourage young people to pursue a career in manufacturing was key to Meggitt’s decision to come to Rugby.”
Tony Wood, Chief Executive of Meggitt added:
“Last week marks another major advance in the development of Meggitt’s global engineering and manufacturing capability. It is also a significant investment in the long-term future of Meggitt both here in the Midlands and in the UK. The Ansty Park super-site, coupled with our investment in the next generation of talent through our new apprenticeship programme, will ensure that Meggitt continues to deliver world class innovation, meeting the current and future needs of our customers worldwide.”