A £240million investment by Toyota Motor Europe in its car plant in Burnaston in Derbyshire has been warmly welcomed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Starting this year (2017), the Burnaston plant will be progressively upgraded with new equipment, technologies and systems. This will enable the production of vehicles using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform; a standardised production method which the company says will enable its cars to be built using fewer resources and with greater fuel-efficiency.
Today’s announced investment programme includes up to £21.3million support from the UK Government for training, research and development, and for further enhancements of the plant’s environmental performance.
Announcing the investment, Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We are very focused on securing the global competitiveness of our European plants. The roll-out of TNGA manufacturing capability is part of this plan. This upgrade of TMUK is a sign of confidence in our employees and suppliers, and their focus on superior quality and greater efficiency. We welcome the UK Government funding contribution for this activity.
“Our investment demonstrates that, as a company, we are doing all we can to raise the competitiveness of our Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.”
Peter Richardson, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “This is a terrific vote of confidence for Derbyshire. Motor, rail and aerospace manufacturing is a key sector for the D2N2 LEP and employs around 20,000 people across its area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; where our private sector-led LEP works to promote economic and jobs growth.
“A £240million investment by Toyota in its Burnaston plant will reassure its own workers and boost confidence among the many supply chain companies reliant on this major employer.”
Mr Richardson joined selected business leaders in January (2017) in meeting the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Mr Koji Tsuruoka, when he visited the Burnaston plant to assess its importance to its regional supply chain companies.
‘Transport equipment manufacturing’ (motor, rail and aerospace) is one of D2N2’s eight key commercial sectors, ones which the LEP has chosen to prioritise for investment and support because its area already has an advantage in them or could develop one.
For further information on the D2N2 LEP’s eight key sectors and its long-term strategies for them see its website at www.d2n2lep.org/Key-Sectors
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