Work has begun on development of the Airbus Aerospace Park in Filton – a multi-million pound state-of-the-art engineering and technology campus scheduled for completion next year.
The aircraft manufacturer kicked off construction of the state-of-the-art facility at a special ceremony attended by company bosses, staff and local representatives last month.
Over 2,500 of the firm’s 4,000 employees will move to the park when it opens in 2013.
Mark Barclay, Senior Vice President of the Airbus Wings and Pylons Centre of Excellence, said :
“Filton is a centre of excellence for aviation with a proud history going back over a century and this investment will help ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of design and engineering in the decades to come.”
“This is an important milestone that shows our long term commitment to Filton and the UK.”
As part of the plans, Bristol Aeroplane Company’s former base, the currently vacant Pegasus House, will be renovated and brought back into use as a modern conference centre and offices.
A total of 500 employees will be hired over the next year across a variety of departments at both UK sites in Filton and Broughton.
Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti praised the aerospace giant at the launch, saying:
“The new Airbus Business Park will secure thousands of jobs locally and is a fitting recognition to the home of British aviation and the centre of excellence that we have in Filton.”
Read more: Work begins on new £70m business park at Airbus in Filton (Gazette)
Related link: Airbus Aerospace Park (The Journal)