GKN Aerospace announced that it is opening a new GlobalTechnology Centre in the United Kingdom. The centre is being funded by a GBP 17million commitment from GKN Aerospace and a £15m commitment from the UKGovernment, through the Aerospace Technology Institute. It is expected to openin 2020 and will be 10000 square meters, housing 300 engineers. The centre willalso include collaborative space for research and development withuniversities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain.
“GKN Aerospace can trace its engineering heritage back to the 18th century and we are proud of our role as a leading player in the UK’s world leading aerospace sector,” said Hans Büthker, Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace. “The GTC will ensure we continue to develop new technologies that deliver for our customers, making aircraft more sustainable and economical. It will also support our 4000 strong workforce in the UK, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of the global aerospace industry. The GTC is a great example of the UK’s industrial strategy at its best: with industry and the Government coming together to invest in the technology of the future. The GTC will continue to foster such collaboration across the entire UK Aerospace ecosystem and we look forward to working with the British Government in the years to come.”
The new centre will focus on additive manufacturing,advanced composites, assembly and Industry 4.0 processes in order to enable thehigh rate production of aircraft structures. It will also serve as the base forGKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in Airbus’ “Wing of Tomorrow” technologyprogram, as well as new additive manufacturing programmes.
GKN Aerospace has several Centres of Technical Excellence around the world. Each one has its own specific technology focus, such as additive manufacturing, thermoplastics and smart aero-engine systems. The centres are all supported and linked by a clear digital strategy.
“GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre further strengthens our aerospace heritage and engineering expertise, and will keep the UK at the forefront of the latest technologies and manufacturing processes for the next-generation of aircraft,” said Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. “As the sector moves towards a cleaner, greener and more efficient future, we are partnering with industry through our modern Industrial Strategy and new Aerospace Sector Deal to ensure we have the skills, innovation and supply-chain to continue our world leadership in aviation.”