Rolls-Royce to invest £140m in Derby manufacturing and engineering facilities

Rolls-Royce has announced a landmark £300 million investment in its manufacturing and engineering facilities across the UK – including £140 million in Derby.

The engineering giant, which has its civil aerospace and defence divisions in  Derby, said the investment reinforces the company’s commitment to the UK’s “advanced manufacturing ecosystem”.

In Derby, the company is investing more than £140 million on new engineering and manufacturing services facilities to enable future growth and improve the work environment for employees.

In addition, investments in aftermarket support will increase capacity and improve operational efficiency. The works are expected to be completed in 2028.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive at Rolls-Royce, said: “Our manufacturing facilities in the UK are home to the very best of British engineering talent.

“This £300 million investment is a clear statement of our intent. Rolls-Royce is committed to growing the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector and we are proud to be building infrastructure needed to power Britain’s future.

“World-class facilities across the UK will ensure that Rolls-Royce remains a global leader in both commercial aviation and sovereign defence, while supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs both directly and through our supply chain.”

Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace campus in Derby is the UK hub for design, engineering, programme management and advanced manufacturing for the company’s Trent large commercial aircraft engine programmes.

It houses the world’s most advanced engine testing facility, strategically important cutting-edge precision casting capabilities, as well as being the final step in the complex global supply chain for Trent engines.

The new facilities will improve the delivery of current programmes and provide a platform for future growth.

Rolls-Royce has invested more than £3 billion in the UK since the start of its transformation programme in 2023.

Across the country, the company has been investing in R&D and cutting-edge engineering programmes, alongside upgrading its facilities and infrastructure.

This new investment will ensure Rolls-Royce’s UK infrastructure can meet manufacturing demand and support the development of future aerospace programmes.

The firm said it further strengthens the UK’s industrial capacity in aerospace and supports vital sovereign defence capabilities.

Rt Hon John Healey MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “This £300 million investment by Rolls-Royce is a powerful vote of confidence in Britain’s future and in the economic stability this government is delivering.

“From Derby and Bristol to Rotherham, Glasgow and Warwickshire, it will back skilled jobs, strengthen our sovereign industrial capability, and help drive growth in communities across the United Kingdom.

“At a time of increasing global competition, Britain must be the best place in the world to invest, innovate and build.

“This announcement shows that confidence in our country is growing and that world-leading British firms are investing for the future.”