Prime Minister David Cameron visited Cosworth’s new Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) in Northampton this week, praising the company for its contribution to the UK automotive industry.
He was joined by Cosworth Group chairman, Kevin Kalkhoven, and chief executive, Hal Reisiger, on a tour of the new 38,000 sq ft facility, which is the result of a £22m investment supported by the company’s shareholders, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the local government and Northampton Borough Council.
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The Advanced Manufacturing Centre positions Cosworth at the forefront of the UK automotive industry – making use of the automation to produce engine components for some of the world’s leading performance car manufacturers.
With orders currently standing at £75m, the new Cosworth facility will be the only site in the UK to offer plasma ion coating, a technology that reduces engine friction and weight – reducing vehicle Co₂ emissions.
During his 90 minute visit, Cameron met with some of the company’s workforce and was informed of the its apprenticeship scheme.
Speaking during his visit to Cosworth’s new Advanced Manufacturing Centre, the PM said: “Cosworth is an iconic British business which plays an important part in our country’s world-beating automotive industry.
“This new Advanced Manufacturing Centre will be an important contributor to British exports and the local economy. This has only been made possible as a result of a real partnership between Cosworth, the government, Northampton council and the local enterprise agency. Cosworth is building an exciting future in Northampton, and is the perfect example of a British manufacturing success story.”
Cosworth employs 175 staff at its existing facility in Northampton, from where it began operating in 1965.
The new AMC will create an additional 70 jobs and apprenticeships. Cosworth’s apprenticeship programme has trained 17 young people since its inception in 2011. This programme, with the support of the BIS Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI), will now expand to a further 25 apprentices.
Cosworth group chairman, Kevin Kalkhoven added: “These are exciting times for Cosworth; this year marks fifty years since Cosworth has been in Northampton, and this new investment will start an important new chapter for the company.
“The AMC is the only one in Britain with the latest in machine tools and robotic technology, working alongside engineers and technicians. Thanks to government and local council support, the new facility will enable Cosworth to produce engine components for cars using ground-breaking flexible manufacturing methods.”
