Wales Office Minister MP today visited GE Aerospace's world-class
maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Nantgarw, to
reaffirm the UK Government's commitment to supporting
high-skilled jobs, cutting-edge innovation, and economic growth
in Wales as part of its forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
Joined by MS, Welsh Government Cabinet
Secretary for Economy, Ministers met with engineers, apprentices,
and senior management to discuss how GE Aerospace's investment in
its MRO capabilities aligns with the broader ambitions of both
Welsh and UK Governments to drive innovation and sustainability
in the aerospace sector.
With more than 1,300 employees, GE Aerospace's Nantgarw site is
one of the largest and most advanced engine MRO facilities in the
world, servicing engines for global airlines, including the GE90
and CFM56, and playing a key role in supporting sustainable
aviation. With Welsh Government financial support, Nantgarw will
also be home to the GE9X engine upon int entry into service.
As part of its long-term commitment to Wales, GE Aerospace
recently announced a multi-million-pound investment in its
Nantgarw MRO facility, further strengthening its capabilities and
ensuring it remains a global leader in engine maintenance and
repair. The investment is part of GE Aerospace's global,
multiyear $1 billion MRO spending surge that was announced last
Autumn.
The visit follows the Chancellor's recent Aerospace Technology
Institute (ATI) funding announcement, which provides significant
UK Government support for research into next-generation aviation
technologies, reinforcing the UK's leadership in the industry.
Dame MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales
said:
The UK's aerospace sector is a cornerstone of our economy, and
Wales plays a critical role in its success.
Our Industrial Strategy is a vital part of achieving our number
one mission of growing the economy, and we are committed to
seeing that companies like GE Aerospace get the support and
investment they need to remain at the forefront of innovation in
a highly competitive sector, in order to help us achieve that
economic growth.
The recent ATI funding announcement further demonstrates our
commitment to developing greener, more efficient aviation
technologies while securing high-quality jobs for the future.
Steve Edwards, Managing Director at GE Aerospace's site in
Wales said:
The Wales team is proud to provide world-class MRO services for
our global airline customers. While we continue to focus on
safety, quality, delivery and cost in that order, we are equally
excited about the future. Looking ahead, our site will become the
new overhaul home for the GE9X engine, the largest the most
powerful commercial aircraft engine ever built.
Government support, including initiatives such as the Aerospace
Growth Partnership along with long term funding for the Aerospace
Technology Institute, will continue to provide companies such as
GE Aerospace the confidence to grow, invest and mature new
technologies and capabilities in the UK.
MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Economy, Energy and Planning said:
Wales is a centre of excellence for aerospace-related
manufacturing and maintenance activities, and this world-leading
facility by GE Aerospace is another feather in the cap for our
thriving aerospace sector.
Our £5m funding contribution has helped equip the facility and
the current workforce to upskill, while developing the next
generation of aircraft engineers through training and
apprenticeships. This means high-value employment opportunities
for people living in the surrounding communities.
The visit underscored the strong partnership between industry and
government in driving innovation and investment, ensuring that
companies such as GE Aerospace and the wider aerospace sector
remain at the forefront of the UK and Welsh Governments'
industrial strategies.
