GKN Aerospace Announces New £32m Global Technology Center in Bristol
The UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, and the Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace, Hans Büthker, revealed plans for GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre in the UK. The new center is expected to open in 2020 and the 10,000 sq m facility will host 300 highly skilled engineers, and will include collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain. The center 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. The facility will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus’ ”Wing of Tomorrow” technology program as well as new additive manufacturing programs.
The Bristol center joins a growing list of GKN Aerospace Centres of Technical Excellence around the world. Each center has a unique technology focus - covering AM, thermoplastics and smart aero-engine systems - and is supported and linked by a clear digital strategy. Additive Industries is a proud partner of the Bristol GTC and will join GKN Aerospace in their additive manufacturing programs from the co-located Process & Application Development Centre.