The strategic partnership coincides with the announcement of the new Global Technology Centre in Bristol, funded by a £17 million commitment from GKN Aerospace and £15 million from the UK Government.
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 (GTC) in the UK, earlier this week.
The Centre is expected to open in 2020 and will act as a hub for world-class innovative technology for the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft.
Once open the 10,000 square metre facility will host 300 highly skilled engineers, and will include collaborative space for research and development, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain.
The strategic partnership strengthens the University of Bath’s growing relationship with GKN Aerospace. The partnership will further GKN’s advanced composites manufacturing capabilities to provide lighter aerostructures for current and future platforms, whilst also supporting the UK Industrial Strategy.
Commenting Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace, Hans Büthker said: “The GTC will ensure we continue to develop new technologies that deliver for our customers, making aircraft more sustainable and economical. It will also support our 4,000 strong workforce in the UK, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of the global aerospace industry.”
Commenting The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark said: “GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre further strengthens our aerospace heritage and engineering expertise, and will keep the UK at the forefront of the latest technologies and manufacturing processes for the next-generation of aircraft.”
Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, the University Vice-President of Corporate Engagement and Dean and Head of the School of Management said: “On the day that the UK Government announced a new sector deal with the UK aerospace industry as part of the multi-million pound package of new investment in support of the modern Industrial Strategy, this is a great example of how universities can work with this sector to boost our global competitiveness.”
Richard Butler, Professor of Aerospace Composites collaborates closely with GKN through his position of Royal Academy of Engineering and GKN Aerospace Chair in Composites Analysis; and Dr Andrew Rhead, Mechanical Engineering, worked on ABBSTRACT 2 between 2010 and 2012. His research project was funded by the EPSRC, Airbus and GKN to assess the feasibility of using curved fibres to manufacture aerospace components.
Professor Gary Hawley, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Director of the Powertrain and Vehicle Research Centre said he was pleased that: “Bath’s partnership with GKN Aerospace through the Global Technology Centre continues a long history of collaboration with the world’s leading multi-technology aerospace supplier.” He added: “This sustainable partnership model is one of the many ways we bring our regional strength in research to world class industry innovations of the future.”
For support on establishing collaborations with GKN Aerospace through the GKN GTC contact:
Helen Jones Head of Research Grant Development, Industrial Strategy h.a.jones@bath.ac.uk Tel: 07976 657 092