Almost 300 jobs to be created in Telford with opening of new factory

The new facility is expected to be approximately 225,000 square feet and will create up to 295 jobs at full capacity.

Construction is expected to start in the autumn of 2016 and once production begins in 2018, the facility will use Magna’s innovative high-pressure vacuum die casting process to produce a number of advanced lightweight aluminium castings – a key building block in the next generation all-aluminium and multi-material vehicle architectures.

By utilising these types of castings, Magna helps automakers deliver maximum strength, stiffness and minimum weight ultimately achieving better fuel economy, safety and handling.

“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, an operating unit of Magna 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.”

Magna, through its Cosma International operating unit, is one of the world's premier suppliers providing a comprehensive range of body, chassis and engineering solutions to automakers around the world.

Telford & Wrekin Council has welcomed the announcement that Magna International Inc plans to build a new world class aluminium casting facility at T54.

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,” said Councillor Davies.

“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 high 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 8500 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.”

Graham Wynn OBE, Chairman of the Marches LEP, said the investment was a further vote of confidence for the region's advanced manufacturing and automotive sector. Earlier this year, Magna International's subsidiary Cosma International bought Shropshire-based car part manufacturer Stadco, saying it was looking to pursue the company's growth plans.

"This investment will create 295 jobs in Telford, and countless more in our supply chains across the borough and the wider Marches. Attracting industry giants such as Magna International is key to unlocking the economic potential of our region and we welcome its investment at T54. This is a deal made possible thanks to the land deal secured as part of the Marches Growth Deal with Government and the hard work of the Invest in Telford team."