British supercar maker McLaren has been handed the keys to its new $95million factory in Yorkshire, England.
The plant, built on the site of an old coal mine, will manufacture the carbon fibre ‘tubs’ — or chassis — for its cars, such as the 570S.
The firm is shifting manufacturing of this vital component from Austria to Sheffield, home of the University of Sheffield’s advanced manufacturing research centre which helps develop McLaren cars.
More than 200 highly skilled jobs will be created by the opening of the McLaren Composites Technology Centre. The finished tubs will be sent to the main factory in Woking, Surrey, where vehicles have been hand assembled since 2011.
The building will be fitted out over the next few months, and new equipment will be installed. This will include a giant press that will be imported from Germany this summer. The goal is that by 2020 the factory will churn out around 3,000 tubs every year.
McLaren hopes the new factory will give it more control over the manufacturing process, and more insulation from tariffs if they are introduced as and when Britain leaves the EU’s customs union.
“Getting the key to the building that will house the McLaren Composites Technology Centre is a major milestone for us and the next chapter in our growth as a young, ambitious, innovative company," said McLaren Automotive’s Executive Director Ruth Nic Aoidh.
“It’s also an important day for all of the many individuals, organisations and suppliers who have supported and shared our ambitious plan to make the Sheffield region home to McLaren’s second production facility. This project is also testament to their shared mindset and the region’s long association with advanced materials that we are able to draw on and benefit from.
“Over the coming months the Centre will be fitted out with the production equipment we need to become fully operational next year and support hundreds of skilled jobs.”
Once the factory is up and running it will mean almost 60 per cent, by value, of McLaren’s cars will be made in England, up from around half.
This means it imports fewer parts, making it less vulnerable to tariffs.
- Daily Mail