Jack Lopresti MP today welcomed the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP to Filton as he opened the new AIRTeC centre in Filton.
The £40 million centre, which was joint funded by Airbus and the Government's ATI programme, puts Filton at the centre of innovation in aerospace. The size of two football pitches, it is designed to undertake structural testing of large-scale aircraft assemblies, from full-size wings down to the individual components and materials used in aircraft design. It is a unique facility that will also bring in companies from other sectors, bringing huge value to the local area.
Also during his visit to our area, Kwasi visited the new Global Technology Centre run by GKN, also part-funded by ATI, and the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green. These are both hugely exciting developments and cements the importance of aerospace and innovation for local jobs and the local economy.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
This is great news, not just for Filton but for the rest of the UK which will benefit from jobs in the supply chain. I am proud of the government’s support for the centre’s construction, showing we are leaving no stone unturned in our drive to make the aviation industry cleaner in the fight against climate change.
Commenting on the visit, Jack Lopresti MP said:
I was absolutely delighted to welcome Kwasi to Filton to show him the amazing R&D work that is done here,
I'm so proud of our area hosting these amazing global businesses, that puts us at the heart of work to hit jet zero and build transport of the future.
