R-R confirms work moving to Germany
ROLLS-ROYCE has announced that it will be shifting work from Derby to Germany to limit disruption caused by Brexit.
The company has confirmed in a trading update that it is to transfer design approval work for its large aero engines away from Derby.
Engines designed and built by the firm, which has its civil aerospace division in Sinfin, have to be signed off by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
There is uncertainty as to how this aircraft safety and design approval process would work when the UK leaves the European Union.
In order to avoid increased costs and benefit from international cooperation on safety, aerospace firms such as Rolls-Royce want to remain part of EASA. The firm’s design approval work is therefore being moved to Dahlewitz, close to Berlin.
It is not thought that the move would have any significant impact on jobs in Derby and Rolls-Royce says that the work could return to Sinfin once the UK’s long-term relationship with the European Union is confirmed.
The company statement reads: “Rolls-Royce notes the decision by the UK Government to delay the vote on the proposed Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration. We will continue to implement our contingency plans until we are certain that a deal and transition period has been agreed.
“Specifically, we are working with EASA to transfer design approval for large aero engines to Germany, where we already carry out this process for business jets.
“This is a precautionary and reversible technical action which we do not anticipate will lead to the transfer of any jobs.
“We have begun to build inventory as a contingency measure, in line with the timetable that we gave in the summer.
“We have been liaising with all our suppliers and have reviewed our logistics options and have the required capacity available. At this point we have contingency plans in place and will update the market when we have clearer visibility.”