U.K. Government Announces Backing for Aerospace Industry

Business Secretary John Hutton has welcomed the news that GKN will be purchasing Airbus’s wing component and assemblies manufacturing facilities at Filton. The acquisition, which will see an investment of £150 million in the site by GKN, will secure the company’s position as a strategic supplier to Airbus; create a composite wing center of excellence at Filton; and further strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader in wing design and manufacture.

GKN’s acquisition will be seen as a major boost for the region, securing up to 1500 jobs at Filton. It will also see GKN supply advanced composite wing components to Airbus for its latest aircraft - the A350XWB (Extra Wide Body).

John Hutton today announced that the Government has agreed, in principle, to support GKN with £60 million repayable launch investment for the development of the rear spar and trailing edge for the aircraft.

Further good news for the UK is that the Department for Business (BERR) has agreed to make an additional £50 million available over the next five years for research and technology to further bolster the UK’s position as a leading wing supplier. This funding will be used to support a number of high quality Airbus projects. This research, through the Technology Strategy Board’s R&D program, will put the UK aerospace industry in an even stronger position to secure high-value added work in the years ahead.

This represents a further commitment to the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy, launched on Monday, with Government working closely with UK industry to help boost its competitiveness. The Government expects the wider UK aerospace industry to capitalize on this opportunity, particularly in the area of composite materials, increasing its prospects to secure further major orders in the future.

John Hutton, Business Secretary, said:

“The UK’s aerospace industry is world-class. This investment in Filton by Government and industry demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting high-tech, high-skilled aerospace companies in the UK to ensure we remain a world leader in this sector.

“Building on the launch of the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy this week, this is a clear demonstration of how we will continue to do all we can to work with our key manufacturers to keep them at the forefront of competitive global markets.

“This investment will help bring composite materials technology for wing design and manufacturing to GKN, adding to the company’s and the industry’s existing strengths.”

Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

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