NOW THAT’S THE SPIRIT
100 new jobs at aircraft giants
An aerospace jackpot will create 100 new jobs in Prestwick, the Post can exclusively reveal.
Industry giant Spirit Aerosystems have landed a mega- money contract with Airbus to build new wing parts.
The contract will swell their 700- strong Ayrshire workforce.
More than £ 2million is being plunged into the deal – set to be announced tomorrow ( Thursday) – by the Scottish Government.
Spirit boss Tom Gentile is set to jet in from the company’s base in Kansas along with Airbus executives for the landmark deal. Company bosses will unveil plans for a new production plant on site, supported by the Holyrood cash.
Eighty skilled jobs and 20 semi- skilled posts are to be created by the new contract to develop spoilers.
The parts effectively “spoil the air” and extend from the top of wings.
First delivery from the plant is expected by 2019.
Production will take place on the Airbus A380, A350 and single- aisle fleet.
Engineers currently develop both leading and trailing edges of wings at the Prestwick plant.
But the lucrative new deal brings with it a significant boost for the
500- strong workforce and 200 support staff. One source at the plant said: “It’s a huge boost at a time of such economic uncertainty in the country.
“Not only does this safeguard the future for hundreds of workers, it hands employment to many more.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will also be on site to announce government support for Spirit’ s expansion plans.
It’ s understood a package of £ 2.1million has been signed off for a new production shed at Prestwick.
The source said: “It will help with not only this contract but future production at the plant.
“This is a long- term investment in Spirit at Prestwick and represents a huge confidence boost to the staff and the area.”
Ayr MSP John Scott hailed the news as a “further boost” for the Ayrshire economy.
He said :“The announcement of 100 new jobs is very welcome news for the Prestwick and Ayrshire economy and I am delighted to hear of this.
“The £ 2m investment in a new plant at Spirit is also very good news and a further boost for our local economy.
“It again emphasises that Prestwick is a worldclass hub for aerospace manufacturing and the number one site in Scotland for this type of work.”
A spokesman for Spirit refused to comment.