Industrial Strategy boost as Boeing launches first European manufacturing facility in the North

Aerospace giant Boeing has launched its first European manufacturing facility in South Yorkshire.

Business Secretary Greg Clark attended the opening of the centre, which was supported by a £2.7m grant from the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF).

The 64,500 sq ft factory, based located alongside the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), will produce over 100 different high-tech components for Boeing’s 737 and 767 aeroplanes.

It has created 52 jobs, including more than 20 apprenticeship roles. Boeing currently employs over 2,200 people in the UK, spending around £2bn a year in the supply chain.

Earlier this month, Boeing introduced the Office of UK Industrial Capability (OUKIC) in a bid to enhance the competitiveness of its British supply chain and maximise the UK’s aerospace and defence technology capabilities.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Boeing choosing the heart of South Yorkshire as its first European home is testament to the reputation of Sheffield as a centre of innovation, advanced manufacturing and the UK’s status as a world-leader in aviation.

“This new facility will export components around the world, boosting the UK supply chain and creating high quality jobs.”

He added: “We are the wing capital of the world and leading aerospace manufacturer and through our modern Industrial Strategy, the government, along with industry are investing £3.9 bn in aerospace to seize the opportunities of the future.”

Boeing’s senior vice president of manufacturing, supply chain and operations, Jenette Ramos, commented: “We appreciate all the community support for Boeing’s new advanced manufacturing factory in the UK.

“This is a fabulous example of how we are engaging global talent to provide greater value to our customers.”

She continued: “In Boeing Sheffield, we are building on longstanding relationships and the region’s manufacturing expertise to enhance our production system and continue to connect, protect, explore and inspire aerospace innovation.”

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said of the launch: “It’s excellent news that Boeing has opened its first European factory here in the Sheffield City Region.

“Boeing’s choice of location is a strong sign of confidence in our advanced engineering excellence, confidence in our workforce and strong manufacturing heritage, and confidence in the cutting-edge collaborations between university and business that enable us to lead the world.”

He added: “Boeing Sheffield will also be a key part of our region’s ‘Global Innovation Corridor’, creating a connected set of research and business interactions based on the advanced manufacturing and engineering strengths we have here in the region, and linking people, places and ideas.”

Speaking further, Mr Jarvis said the “opportunities for our communities, for businesses, for researchers and for the workforce of the future” are now “limitless”, hailing Boeing’s investment in the area as “hugely significant” for South Yorkshire, the Northern Powerhouse region and the UK as a whole.

The government and industry, through the Industrial Strategy, have committed to investing £3.9 bn in transforming aerospace research and manufacturing until 2026.