Tech · GA Daily Post
Airbus is set to create 480 new jobs at its Broughton site as part of a significant investment in its production line. The manufacturer will spend £150 million converting its former A380 wing production facility into an A321 line in Flintshire. Airbus said this illustrates its "commitment to Wales" and reinforced the UK's position as a "critical hub in the global aerospace industry".
It comes after the company announced a multi-million pound investment in its Belfast operation earlier this year. The new roles at the Broughton facility will include 250 position in the refurbished factory, joining the 6,000 employees currently based there. The project, which is set to complete by the end of 2026, is designed to feed the backlog of A320 aircrafts.
Once completed, Airbus said it will host six wing production jigs, an equipping line and paint shops. "Investing in our capacity strengthens our industrial footprint, creates high value jobs that support the wider UK aerospace sector and ensures we remain competitive in the years to come," said Jerome Blandin, the head of Airbus Wing. Blandin called it an "important investment" for the region and the manufacturers global production capability.
The investment was welcomed by Unite union, which represents more than 3,000 aircraft fitters and engineers at Airbus. Unite described it as a "massive vote of confidence in the world-class skills, dedication and expertise of our members in north Wales". Daz Reynolds, Unite Site Convenor at Broughton, said: "It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when management invests directly in the proven capability of its Broughton workforce.
"Our members have consistently delivered and this expansion secures sustainable, high-value manufacturing employment for the long term."
Source: BBC
