FIRST LOOK: Boeing's £20m Sheffield factory

This is how Boeing's new Sheffield factory could look.
How Boeing's new factory could look.How Boeing's new factory could look.
How Boeing's new factory could look.

As revealed by The Star earlier today, the global aerospace giant has chosen the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Catcliffe as the base for its first factory in Europe.

The firm will invest £20 million in the factory, which will make hi-tech components for the 737 plane.

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A planning application for the building is expected in the coming days.

Professor Keith Ridgway, Executive Dean of the AMRC said: “It has always been our ambition that one day Boeing would open a manufacturing facility in Sheffield.

"This announcement is the culmination of a successful relationship that has developed since the AMRC with Boeing was founded 16 years ago.”

Adrian Allen, executive director of the AMRC, said: “Keith and I set out to create a radical, unique collaborative research environment; one that would quickly grow and become a catalyst for attracting a pool of skilled talent, technology and inward investment.

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"This would be the critical success factor in achieving the vision we had, to become the world’s foremost innovation district.”

​​Professor Sir Keith Burnett, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “This is hugely important, not only for our region and the North of England, but also the UK's global industrial ambitions in high-productivity, high-value manufacturing.

"Areas such as Sheffield can play a crucial role in a new industrial revolution for the UK – one centred on science and innovation, but working hand-in-hand with industry. I am deeply proud that leading global companies recognise that Made in Sheffield still remains a hallmark of quality."

And Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is fantastic news for the region and a major vote of confidence in our ability to combine research and development expertise with actually making things.

"This investment will play to the strengths of our supply chain and skilled workforce and I am delighted that such a highly respected world leader as Boeing recognised this.”