Rolls-Royce will quickly break floor on a major extension of its manufacturing unit at Goodwood, West Sussex, that can allow it to supply considerably extra personalisation on every automotive that it builds.
Planning permission was lately granted by Chichester District Council, enabling the agency to progress with what would be the most substantial funding within the manufacturing unit because it was opened in 2003.
Extending it’s excessive on the priorities record for Chris Brownridge, the previous BMW UK boss who took the helm at Rolls-Royce on the finish of final yr, following the departure of long-standing CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.
Speaking to Autocar for the primary time since taking the job, Brownridge – who has held a number of high-ranking positions within the BMW Group since becoming a member of in 2005 – stated that increasing the manufacturing unit isn’t simply essential from a industrial standpoint but additionally by way of nurturing the UK automotive trade.
“We’re proud as a British institution. Rolls-Royce has a very relevant voice in the world of luxury but also contributes to UK plc,” he stated, earlier than highlighting that Goodwood employs 2600 folks instantly and a few 7500 folks throughout the nationwide provide chain, whereas yearly contributing some £500 million to the Treasury.
“We’re a significant player,” stated Brownridge. “This little organisation that builds just 6000 cars a year gives a livelihood to many people.”
Rolls-Royce estimates that the expanded manufacturing unit will enhance its contribution to the native financial system by some £71m and will create greater than 1000 new jobs, though Brownridge emphasised that the goal isn’t to spice up total automotive output.
“When this magnificent facility was built, the business was designed around making 1000-1500 cars [annually], and today we make significantly more than that – every single one requested by a client,” he stated.
“Our strategy moving forward isn’t to grow volume, it’s to grow the bespoke content of the cars, because that’s what makes it a special experience for our clients.”