New Jaguar Land Rover plant will now cover one million sq ft
The expansion of Jaguar Land Rover’s engine plant on the i54 business park will see it grow to one million square feet, doubling its workforce, bosses said today – as business bosses hailed it a major shot in the arm for the region’s economy.
The Engine Manufacturing Centre, currently under construction on the business park on the border of South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton, will get an extra £150 million of investment, making it a £500m project.
The expanded Wolverhampton plant will now include an engine testing centre alongside the manufacturing and assembly halls, adding around 650 new jobs to the previous planned workforce of 750.
It builds on JLR’s record-breaking sales of nearly 360,000 cars last year.
Council bosses and business leaders today welcomed the news, expected to have huge spin-off benefits for engineering companies across the region who will supply the new factory.
Black Country Chamber of Commerce president Paul Bennett said: “This is excellent new for the Black Country.
“Not only is it great for JLR which as a company is going from strength to strength, but it is also great news for the wider supply chain.
“I think what we have to recognise is that it is really important for businesses to invest in skills and training because the wider supply chain is going to need to be able to support JLR in its growth.
“The wider supply chain can learn from JLR as much of its increased demand is around export success. That is something we need to get more of in the Black Country.” At the Geneva International Motor Show last night Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Ralf Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover’s new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the UK is a clear demonstration of our business strategy guiding our investment plans.
“Not only does it bring our engine supply back to our production doorstep, but it gives us significant new resource as we continue to innovate with new products and markets.”
In addition to the engine factory, JLR says it is investing £2.75bn in creating new products to support its ambitious growth plans, with eight new or revamped models this year, including the new Jaguar F-Type sports car and the introduction of a nine-speed automatic gearbox to its Land Rovers. It said the new engineering plant was “essential” to support the company’s long-term strategic growth plans.
Comments for: "New Jaguar Land Rover plant will now cover one million sq ft "
PJW Holland
... but we must remember the advice on eggs and baskets!
Richard
Those of us who live nearby can celebrate the expansion of a massive eyesore on the horizon of what used to be countryside.... to go with all of the other "developments" that South Staffs council has allowed in the green belt.
Staffordshire and South Staffs councils apparently won't be happy until the whole of South Staffs has been concreted over and merged with the West Midlands conurbation.
Barby Bill
Don't be such a nimby!! If you were of any age, you'd do well to remember that the whole area used to be covered in coal mines and the associated industry/infrastructure!!
JJ
Its called progress. I bet your one of the first to moan about this country not having any money and why were falling behind the rest of the world. Well I'll tell you why, because of NIMBY's like you.
Richard "Head"
Yeah that's a great comment. Unfortunately the likes of JLR don't like making stuff in the wild as the rain interferes with some of their electrical stuff. Without the likes of JLR investing in the midlands your lovely countryside will be spoilt by tents and caravans as no-one will be able to afford to live in houses as they will all be out of work !! Numpty
Dan
Hi - I live nearby, so please don't speak for me - and remember when this site was in fact a sewage works. Enjoy your countryside and your pleasant house while the rest of us don't have any jobs.
Zinga
When NIMBY's attack! Lol... You have a motorway junction near you and wasn't the Black Country full of mines and other industry?
This is probably the most important development for this area for decades, bar none, yet it's people like you that holds this progress back.
Besides, living by i54, you should realise that some sort of commercial building(s) was always going to be built here. I'd rather a large manufacturing company that actually contributes to the UK rather than some smaller useless logistics company that simply slushes money about.
I fully support this.... Long live JLR!
jxl76
As a neighbour, oh how I miss the toxic Courtaulds tip, flytipping and the endless motorbike scramblers. Want that back do you, Richard? No, neither do I. It's called progress.
snowy
That told you nimby
Chris
Richard, are you really that short sighted? Words fail me.
Idiot.
Angry Allan
This is great news for the local jobs market. Its proper jobs as well, not the McJobs that are usually touted in the local press as good news.
Steve B
I saw on TV last night the vast majoirity of jobs will be on short term contracts, on 30 will be perminant.
so no one will take them who is currently employed even if they have the skills.
Oh hell no
Ain't nobody got time fo' that.