GKN Aerospace officially acquires new global technology centre

The new GTC, funded by a £17 million commitment from GKN Aerospace and £15 million commitment from the UK government, through the Aerospace Technology Institute, will be fully kitted out over the next year and will open in 2021.

The new site will be GKN Aerospace’s UK technology hub and represents a major commitment to developing the sustainable aerospace technology of the future.

The centre will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and industry 4.0 processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures.

The GTC will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft.

President of GKN Aerospace’s civil airframe business, John Pritchard, said: “This is a real milestone, we are proud to have taken the next step in the UK GTC development with this hand over and we look forward to completing the building and making it a great place to work. We have dozens of committed industry partners already set to join us at the centre as together we shape a more sustainable future of flight.”

The UK GTC was first announced in December 2018 alongside the UK government’s Aerospace Sector Deal. GKN Aerospace has now secured more than 25 collaboration partners for the new Centre, which will house 300 engineers when at full capacity.

GKN Aerospace is a multi-technology tier 1 aerospace partner and supplier. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft and engine manufacturers, GKN Aerospace develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in aircraft ranging from helicopters and business jets to the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world.

Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, innovative engine systems and smart transparencies help to reduce emissions and weight on the aircraft and enhance passenger comfort. GKN Aerospace is a market leader in aerostructures, engine systems, transparencies and wiring systems and operates in 14 countries at 48 manufacturing locations employing approximately 17,000 people.

GKN Aerospace www.gknaerospace.com