300 jobs for Telford as Stadco owner to build new factory

Magna International has revealed it is to build the new aluminium casting facility in the town, making parts for Jaguar Land Rover.

The factory will be one of the biggest in the county, and will provide a massive jobs boost for the town. It will be the largest automotive development in the West Midlands after the Jaguar Land Rover complex at the i54 site.

The plant will be in the name of Magna's subsidiary Cosma, and will be distinct from Stadco, meaning that it will have little effect on those already employed at the latter's sites in Shropshire and Mid Wales.

The site of the new factory is understood to be the largest of the plots on the T54 development near Stafford Park, which was earmarked for a large new factory in an initial planning application last year.

Magna's subsidiary Cosma International took over metals pressings specialist Stadco late last year, promising investment in the business, and the new development shows that promise coming to fruition.

Work on the development is expected to begin in the autumn, and it will begin production in 2018.

"We are excited to work closely with Jaguar Land Rover in the development of this project which will bring the most advanced structural casting technologies to the UK," said John Farrell, president of Cosma International.

"As lightweighting continues to be a key technology driver, we are uniquely positioned to help automakers achieve optimal weight savings throughout the vehicle architecture."

The parts made at the site are thought to be for body structures of JLR's cars, although exactly which models which will benefit from the site's expertise has not been disclosed. Nor has the total value of the project, although it will run into the millions of pounds.

Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Business, hailed the announcement as an "extremely significant" day for the borough of Telford and Wrekin.

"I am delighted that Magna International has decided to locate its new multi-million pound facility here in Telford," he said.

"This signals the dawn of a bright new era of opportunity for everyone in the borough.

"In Telford, we pride ourselves on being inventive and dynamic and the details of the hi-tech production process Magna has announced for its planned facility shows that they are a perfect fit for us.

"We have been talking to Magna International for more than two years and an awful lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to make this possible so today is a realisation of all those discussions.

"I would like to thank everyone at the council who has been involved in those negotiations – from the first contact at a national conference through to the conclusion of the deal in the last few weeks.

"This has been made possible as a result of the land deal that we announced in March with the Homes and Communities Agency and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, which will see us deliver 8,500 new jobs through investing in bringing sites like T54 to the market.

"Magna's announcement today represents a hugely significant multi-million pound investment which demonstrates that Telford & Wrekin Council's drive to attract new business and jobs is realising spectacular results.

"This major development will see the creation of 295 skilled local jobs when the plant is at full capacity. The investment will also support many more jobs in the local supply chain.

"It also demonstrates the value of our strengthening links with the West Midlands and its world wide reputation for advanced manufacturing.

"With the T54 site just 12 miles from Jaguar Land Rover's i54 complex, we are seeing significant levels and enquiries and we are confident more market leaders from the automotive supplies sector will be investing in Telford.

"Magna's proposed world class aluminium casting facility in Telford will be the largest automotive development in the West Midlands after the Jaguar Land Rover complex at the i54 site. We confidently expect that this will prove a gateway for further investment in the T54 site, which is already home to AXYZ Automation and Filtermist International.

"Subject to receiving planning permission, we expect that construction on the new facility will begin in the autumn of this year. Magna has said production will begin in 2018."

T54 is described as Telford and Wrekin's "flagship automotive and advanced manufacturing employment site", and is already home to the likes of Filtermist and measurements company Torus.