Rolls-Royce £19m investment 'vote of confidence'

Rolls-Royce has announced it is investing more than £19m in its Rotherham facility.

The Catcliffe site manufactures turbine blades for the jet engines that power long-haul aircraft.

Rolls-Royce said the investment was a "vote of confidence" in the team at Rotherham who were "pushing the boundaries of science".

The funding will go into the company's highly specialised Advanced Blade Casting Facility and follows a grant of £2m from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

The total £21.3m will boost capability and productivity, including additional specialist machines to double output at the facility by 2030.

Nigel Bird, from the manufacturer, said: "It's a clear example of how regional government can generate confidence for private sector investment, helping to retain and expand this type of unique UK capability, and supporting UK exports.

"Thanks to Rolls-Royce's ongoing transformation we're able to make this investment, which will bring benefits to the region and our customers.

"Our incredible team in Rotherham are making components every day that are pushing the boundaries of science."

The facility employs more than 300 people and was opened in 2015.

It casts, machines and inspects intermediate and high-pressure turbine blades for the Trent XWB-84 which powers the Airbus A350-900 and the Trent 1000 XE, which powers the Boeing 787.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he was "proud" proud that his team's support would "help to unlock growth, keep cutting edge manufacturing here in South Yorkshire and further strengthen our role at the heart of the UK's advanced manufacturing industry".

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