A £2m grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has helped unlock a £19.3m investment by Rolls‑Royce to expand advanced manufacturing capability at its turbine blade facility in Rotherham UK.
Investment to transform manufacturing productivity
The combined £21.3m investment will increase capability and productivity at the company’s Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF), which produces turbine blades for jet engines used in long-haul aircraft.
The investment will fund additional specialist equipment, enabling the site to double output by 2030.
Expanding turbine blade manufacturing capability
The Rotherham facility casts, machines and inspects intermediate and high-pressure turbine blades used in two of Rolls-Royce’s key civil aerospace engines: the Trent XWB‑84, which powers the Airbus A350‑900, and the Trent 1000 XE, which powers the Boeing 787.
Each high-pressure turbine blade generates the power of a Formula 1 car, with between 60 and 90 blades used inside each engine to generate the thrust required for large long-haul aircraft.
The ABCF employs more than 300 people, largely from the local area, and forms part of Rolls-Royce’s global network of advanced manufacturing sites. Opened in 2015, the facility supports the company’s wider UK manufacturing capability and relies on a complex international supply chain.
Regional support unlocking private investment
Nigel Bird, Executive Vice President, Turbine Systems at Rolls‑Royce, said the grant played an important role in supporting the investment.
“We’re grateful to South Yorkshire’s Mayor for his support. It’s a clear example of how regional government can generate confidence for private sector investment, helping to retain and expand this type of unique UK capability, and supporting UK exports.”
Bird added that the investment reflects confidence in both the workforce and the region’s advanced manufacturing expertise.
“Thanks to Rolls-Royce’s ongoing transformation we’re able to make this investment, which will bring benefits to the region and our customers. Our incredible team in Rotherham are making components every day that are pushing the boundaries of science. This investment is a vote of confidence in them and in the capability of the wider region to stay at the forefront of advanced manufacturing. We look forward to future collaboration that will help keep these valuable skills in the community.”
Strengthening the UK’s advanced manufacturing cluster
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the investment highlights the region’s position as a major hub for advanced engineering.
“South Yorkshire is home to world-class engineering, world-class innovation and world-class talent.”
“I’m proud that our support will help to unlock growth, keep cutting-edge manufacturing here in South Yorkshire and further strengthen our role at the heart of the UK’s advanced manufacturing industry.”
This article was produced by the editorial team at Manufacturing Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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