Bristol’s standing as a world-leading centre for aerospace innovation has been given a multi-million pound boost with plans to open a global technology centre for the industry at Filton.
Engineering giant GKN, which already employs around 2,000 people at plants in Filton and Avonmouth, is to co-fund the centre with the government to research and develop new aircraft manufacturing methods.
The 10,000 sq m centre is expected to open in 2020 and will house 300 highly skilled engineers. 
It will include collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s Catapult network of innovation hubs and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain, which includes the nearby production centre that assembles wings for Airbus aircraft along with GKN Aerospace’s composite plant at Avonmouth.
The centre will be funded by a £17m commitment from GKN Aerospace and £15m from the government through the Aerospace Technology Institute.
The centre will focus on additive manufacturing, advanced composites, assembly and next-generation industry processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures.
It will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft. The facility will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus’ ‘wing of tomorrow’ technology programme as well as new additive manufacturing programmes.
Plans for the centre were revealed by Business Secretary Greg Clark at a meeting with Bristol businesses, researchers, civic leaders and industry representatives to mark the first anniversary of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.
He said: “GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre further strengthens our aerospace heritage and engineering expertise, and will keep the UK at the forefront of the latest technologies and manufacturing processes for the next-generation of aircraft.
“As the sector moves towards a cleaner, greener and more efficient future, we are partnering with industry through our modern Industrial Strategy and new Aerospace Sector Deal to ensure we have the skills, innovation and supply-chain to continue our world leadership in aviation.”
GKN Aerospace chief executive Hans Büthker said: “GKN Aerospace can trace its engineering heritage back to the 18th century and we are proud of our role as a leading player in the UK’s world leading aerospace sector.
“The GTC will ensure we continue to develop new technologies that deliver for our customers, making aircraft more sustainable and economical. It will also support our 4,000-strong workforce in the UK, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of the global aerospace industry.
“The GTC is a great example of the UK’s industrial strategy at its best: with industry and the Government coming together to invest in the technology of the future. The GTC will continue to foster such collaboration across the entire UK Aerospace ecosystem and we look forward to working with the British Government in the years to come.’’
