Jobs secure at aviation firm
HUNDREDS of highly skilled jobs have been secured with the news that maintenance and repair of the world’s largest jet engine will be carried out by GE Aviation at Nantgarw.
The announcement, which follows First Minister Carwyn Jones’ meeting with GE executives in Washington DC, is accompanied by £20m of GE investment, including £5m from the Welsh Government.
The maintenance and repair of the GE9X will safeguard more than 400 jobs at GE Aviation Wales. The news comes in addition to the site’s 2016-17 recruitment activity to support growth relative to its current engine programmes.
The new facility will provide the technical lead and support to GE9X partners across the globe and places Wales at the cutting edge of jet-engine technology.
The First Minister welcomed news that the Nantgarw Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will lead the company’s global Entry Into Service readiness programme, describing the move as hugely significant in securing the future of the Nantgarw facility for the next generation and ensuring the site is at the forefront of important technology applications.
He said: “I am delighted Welsh Government is supporting this very significant investment in one of our flagship operations. GE Aviation Wales is the largest aircraft engine maintenance facilities in the world and today’s announcement ensures it will maintain its position as the global centre of excellence for wide-bodied jet engines that will now also include GE’s latest engine, the GE9X.”
GE Aviation Wales was selected based on its technical expertise and its track record of continuous improvement. By focusing on increased utilisation and productivity despite its 77-year-old infrastructure, GE Aviation Wales is now cost-competitive with several brand-new overhaul sites.
The site, which employs more than 1,400 people, will also benefit from a £5m investment from the Welsh Government to help towards the total £20m investment over the next five years to equip and upskill the facility to be ready to maintain the GE9X fleet when it enters service on the Boeing 777X.
GE Aviation Wales managing director La-Chun Lindsay said: “This is a great day for Wales and particularly for our communities across the Valleys.”