British aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman unveiled plans to increase production and return to building aircraft at its historic Bembridge site on the Isle of Wight.
As the company highlighted in a press release, the move is a major change, as since the late 1960s it has carried out much of its activities in Romania. To this end, new manufacturing jigs and tooling have already been installed at the facility in the United Kingdom.
The decision, first announced in 2010, was due to rising costs in the Eastern European country, according to Britten-Norman herself.
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Britten-Norman to invest in its Bembridge site
Britten-Norman will invest money to create two additional production lines at Bembridge and improve the availability of spare parts for its existing customers. It will also look to modernise production and reduce the environmental impact of its business by using clean energy.
In addition, the investment aims to support the production of the world’s first fully integrated, zero-emission sub-regional aircraft, based on the Islander. The type is scheduled to enter commercial service in 2026.
The company said it will hire new employees in the area over the coming months. Focus will be on aircraft technicians and assemblers, as well as production engineering specialists and employees for different areas of the supply chain.
“The project is a great success story for the British aircraft manufacturing industry, said William Hynett, the company’s CEO. “I am very proud to be involved in this next chapter at Britten-Norman”, he added.
