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Delight as Wolverhampton’s JLR wait is over
Monday 19th September 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Jaguar Land Rover today confirmed plans for a £355million engine plant in Wolverhampton. Shaun Jepson reports.
There’s been months of feverish speculation but today JLR finally cemented the news which the Midlands had desperately been waiting for – the creation of a brand new engine plant in Wolverhampton.
It is a decision that will give the region’s economy the shot in the arm it so desperately needs.
The advanced engine facility at the i54 business park will manufacture a family of all-new advanced technology low-emission four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in a “major commitment” to the region from the car giant.
The huge development at the i54, which has already been designated a growth-boosting Enterprise Zone, will create and secure thousands more jobs across the country in the supply chain.
It is expected that it will be operational within the next two years.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today confirmed about £10 million of Government support to bring the engine plant to Wolverhampton during a visit to the firm’s site in Lode Lane, Solihull, with Business Secretary Vince Cable.
Mr Clegg described the decision by JLR to choose Wolverhampton for its new engine plant as a major manufacturing site was a strong show of support for the region and its manufacturing heritage.
He added: “The decision to build the new JLR plant in Wolverhampton is fantastic news.”
JLR’s interest in the site was first sparked early in the new year when it emerged that the i54 facility was in the running for the plant.
But it quickly became clear that the site was competing with other potential venues in south Wales and India.
The Government, local authorities and MPs in Wolverhampton and Staffordshire rallied together to do all they could to ensure the i54 was the preferred option.
Staffordshire County Council and Wolverhampton City Council showed a commitment to creating a slip road on and off the M54 while MPs met with ministers to ensure they were doing all they could to ensure the dream became a reality.
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This is brilliant news for Staffordshire and Staffordshire people!
Great work by the County Council http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoI3CTnZ3Ac
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idiot
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At last some excellent news for the area following on from the debacle that was the proposed shopping complex in Wolverhampton’s centre.
My only question revolves around the necessary expertise which will be required regarding the car industry. To my knowledge locals do not possess such expertise and I would presume ‘outsiders’ will be moving to the area and therefore the forthcoming jobs will not be for those locals who are out of work or in a position to apply, except for administration staff.
If I am wrong. please feel free to put me right.
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The automotive engineering skills in the midlands is without rival in the UK that is why when you speak to people in the automotive industries around the world most have worked in or come from the midlands.
Your opinion may be based on the image shown on TV that midlanders are a bit thick but they are not just have a look at where mensa has there headquarters
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So, what was Sunbeam or do you not know your Wolverhampton history?
And add to that I beleive Thrust2 which held the land speed record for a number of years was designed and built in the midlands aswell.
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I am well aware that Sunbeams were made in Wolverhampton but the last Sunbeam was built in 1936 so are you suggesting JLR should be recruiting those workers for the new factory?
That expertise has long been lost, which was my original point!
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With regard to Out of work local’s comment, I would add this has always been the case. I moved to Staffordshire to work, I had the expertise required by my company so they brought me into the region. I had to work hard to gain this expertise, so I took on the responsibility for getting it so I could do the work I wanted to do.
This is a great opportunity, it’s now down to you to make the most of it.
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It is to be hoped that the Councils and govt will also insist on a large percentage of jobs going to people who live in the area. Will be interesting to see what % of jobs end up going to local people and some should be ringfenced.
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Probably not as I believe it’s not for goverment to set the recruitment policy for any business! I work in London (although originally from Wolves)and wouldn’t want jobs reserved at my company for those who happen to live in a catchment area. I studied hard and got my job on merit!!
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The Councils are crowing over how much of a success it is for the local region. It is only a success if there are jobs for local people.
I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect at least some of the jobs to be ring fenced assuming the skills exist in the locality.
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what woud this mean for traffic around wobaston road/stafford road/M54 roundabout – this is very busy now at peak times..
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Yes here we go….not in my back yard! Perhaps you would like the factory built in Devon or elsewhere?
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I can’t believe that with such great news for the area and with the amount of jobs this will create some numpty is already moaning that it might cause a bit more traffic, this is absolutely fantastic for the area, it will create so many jobs and hopfully with JLR investing in the i54 it will encourage other big names to invest in the area too. This will not only create even more jobs but will boost the economy for local shops. This could and should hopefully be the start of things to come, fingers crossed!
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great news indeed and is welcomed by all Wolvo people, but local does have a point about traffic problems around the Vine island. it was only last week the Government took away £10 Million that was to be used to reconfigure this traffic hotspot.
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Excellant news for the region. As well as the jobs created by the factory, there will also be a beneficial knock-on effect to existing local business’s.
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Fantastic news for the area!
This is a welcome piece of news to the usual doom & gloom!
Hopefully there will be the opportunity for a few apprentiships for the next generation of “skilled” workers too.
This is a long term investment in the area and no doubt an element of the work force will need to brought in to establish the plant.
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comments on the first story published, ‘JLR announce…..’,on this item have some required reading, so feel free to check them out; Also it was touch and go, as the Government wanted JLR to go to Derby as a sop for messing up the rail contract and costing 1400 jobs there, directly, so it goes to say another 3000 in the supply chain;
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Its all positive feedback from readers who are pleased with JLR investing in Wolvo!
We are on the map, the UK & the world know that Wolverhampton has got something positve to offer, so lets be pleased rather than knocking it!!
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I cant believe someone would be worried about traffic. Surely jobs are more important at this moment in time. I left ‘home’ (Wolverhampton) many many years ago to study and only return to see my parents. I love my City but it really does need a boost and any number of jobs for locals helps. The additional benefits are incalculable. As for jobs for workers coming in from outside, does it really matter. We all benefit. It shows confidence in the City and hopefully draws other potential companies into the area. I live in Shanghai and went there for work. The City is booming and could not do so without outside workers bringing in skills
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when the story 1st broke about jlr moving to i54 i was chuffed,its what wolverhampton needs,hopefully other companies follow their lead,well done JLR and everyone involved in securing this deal.
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This area has many skilled workers of the calibre JLR needs and some of them (whisper it) are in their late fifties and early sixties. Put their old fashioned precision skills with young apprentices which will ensure a world beating team and preserve knowledge, skill and pride in a job well done (there’s an oldfashioned notion) for the future.
Now wake up Council, and endeavour to ensure that thet skills and the money they bring have somewhere decent to spend it…and I don’t just mean shops!
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“Your opinion may be based on the image shown on TV that midlanders are a bit thick but they are not just have a look at where mensa has there headquarters”
‘their’ headquarters Mr Local
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Its absolutely great news for Wolverhampton, as a local print business we’ve seen lots of companies close, or struggling. Even other local businesses in our own field have closed their doors in the past couple of months. Then add that to the city centre trouble of last month we’re lucky to not have lost out. Lets just hope that other manufacturers and businesses and follow suit with JLR and help boost the local economy. Wolverhampton and it’s people are better than its current reputation. As for extra congestion, its a small price to pay for a better economy.
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Thank you TATA Motors (India) for investing in our poor country.
Remember the good old days when we had an Empire and Jaguar was a niche British Car we could be proud of?
Now it has gone full circle and the people of Wolverhampton will be working for their masters in India.
Another British success story.
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