THE LARGEST UK manufacturing facility to be built for 10 years has started to take shape in the borough.
International aerospace, defence and energy engineering group Meggitt has begun construction of its new global HQ at Ansty Park.
Meggitt Chief Executive Tony Wood and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street led a ground breaking ceremony at the site, watched by Meggitt employees, regional organisations and local dignitaries including Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.
The project will accommodate up to 1,000 employees across a range of operations, and is due to open by the end of 2019.
Alongside the engineering and manufacturing facilities at the new factory, Meggitt will also be working with the Manufacturing Technology Centre to help train apprentices at Ansty Park.
The first cohort of 20 apprentices – some of whom were present at the ground breaking ceremony – are due to start in the summer.
Mr Pawsey said: “Meggitt’s decision to establish their new headquarters at Ansty Park is a tremendous vote of confidence in the West Midlands and in Rugby.
“Meggitt is 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.”
He added he was delighted to meet the apprentices.
“Training the next generation of skilled engineers is vital in order to deliver on the promise of a global Britain,” he said.
“Meggitt recognises the importance of this and I know that the work done by the Manufacturing Technology Centre to encourage young people to pursue a career in manufacturing was key to Meggitt’s decision to come to Rugby.”
Meggitt chief executive Tony Wood said the new facility was a major advance in the company’s global engineering and manufacturing capability, and a significant investment in the company’s long-term future.
He added: “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.”
