17 September 2008
Deal brings 150 jobs to Burnley
An agreement has been signed between the NWDA and Aircelle which
will bring 150 jobs to Burnley.
Aircelle, an aerospace systems manufacturer, will be expanding
its operation in Burnley at the NWDA-owned former Michelin site.
The company has signed a 25-year lease on a building at the former
tyre warehouse in order to expand their manufacturing facility,
creating around 150 new jobs.
The £3 million refurbishment of the building is being funded by
the NWDA and will allow Aircelle to begin full scale manufacturing
in the premises in late 2008.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:
“The NWDA bought the former Michelin site in order to encourage
employment creation and regeneration in Burnley and I am delighted
Aircelle has made this commitment to the town. We are keen to
establish and grow the aerospace sector, which is vital in
Lancashire, offering huge opportunities for local people and making
a valuable contribution to the local and regional economy.
“Additionally, the confidence shown by Aircelle in Burnley will
inspire other advanced manufacturers to base their businesses here,
leading to redevelopment of the entire site.”
Andrew White, Managing Director of Aircelle Limited, said:
“The development of the Michelin facility will allow us to
expand our nacelles and thrust reverser systems manufacturing
capability and significantly grow our business here in
Burnley. We are delighted that this will allow us to provide
development opportunities for our existing employees and offer new
employment opportunities for the Burnley community. We
believe this will signify only the first steps towards making
Aircelle the most prestigious employer in the area.”
Construction company Morgan Ashurst, which has local offices in
Salford Quays, won the contract to transform the football pitch
sized warehouse into a manufacturing and office complex. The
company is also improving street lighting around the building,
installing new access ramps, creating a 39-space car park and
loading areas plus traffic routes and walkways.
The warehouse complex in Dundee Road, Burnley, is part of the
NWDA’s ongoing regeneration plan for the area.
The NWDA is supporting the development of an enterprise strategy
in Burnley that will deliver a positive step change in enterprise
culture; embed innovation and entrepreneurialism in new Further
Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) provision, as well as
making the town more responsive to local business needs.
The project features three distinct but linked elements: a new
HE/FE Campus; the development of the Agency-owned Michelin site as
an Enterprise Park; and an associated Enterprise Park at Princess
Way.
Last November work began on construction of the college and
university campus and the expansion of Aircelle kickstarts the
NWDA’s aims to attract more employers to Burnley. The investment
forms part of a wider initiative being led by the NWDA in
conjunction with local partners to help transform the business,
skills and enterprise base within the Pennine Lancashire economy.
The NWDA and Burnley Borough Council are currently developing
proposals in order to secure development partners to redevelop the
wider site with a focus upon manufacturing.
Leader of Burnley Borough Council, Gordon Birtwistle,
said:
"This really is great news. Aircelle are a high class high quality
company that are a real source of pride to the borough - not just
for the hundreds who work there but for the thousands of Burnley
youngsters for whom working for a world class company is a
possibility.
"They are an example of what is possible in Burnley particularly
for other hi-tech companies across the country who may be looking
to relocate. We have a supportive development agency, we are a
forward-thinking council and our manufacturing culture means our
workforce takes pride in rising to prospective employers'
needs."
The project is due to be completed in late October 2008.
-ends-
Editor’s Notes
1. The loss of the Michelin factory was a major blow to Burnley
when it closed in March 2002. The NWDA bought the site later that
year with plans to redevelop the 50-acre site for business use and
this move complements the objective to develop advanced
manufacturing on the Michelin site.
2. Aircelle is a world leader in design, development and
manufacture of nacelle and thrust reverser systems used by leading
aircraft manufacturers and airlines worldwide.
For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press
Officer on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.