Siemens today revealed a new site in North Hykeham as the proposed location for its industrial gas turbine business, demonstrating a long-term commitment to manufacturing in the area.
The Teal Park site, adjacent to the A46, is being proposed as the new location to accommodate the company’s manufacturing plant, after Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery announced plans last July to concentrate manufacturing operations and service on two separate sites.
The Siemens move will generate £40 million of investment over the next three years into the local area. A new state-of-the-art factory and offices will be built over the 27 acre site, including a new access road, parking and facilities. The new factory and offices will be built using environmentally-friendly lighting and sustainable building technologies, to reduce emissions and save energy. The company plans to relocate from its current sites at Freeman Road and Firth Road over the next three years. Investment will also be made into the current Ruston Works site, in Lincoln, where 600 Siemens employees from the service business will continue to be employed.
Employees are being given a full briefing by management today on the proposed new site as well as the current and future outlook for the business in the worldwide market. The future site plans for the business will deliver an extensive range of benefits including significant manufacturing process improvements, access and transportation improvements for products and an opportunity to realise an optimal modern high energy environment for world beating product development and manufacture.
Nick Muntz, Managing Director of Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery, said: “We are delighted to have found an ideal site within the Greater Lincoln area. We are committed to staying in Lincolnshire and this new location fulfils our objectives on all accounts, for the benefit of our employees and the local community. Our move will underpin substantial investment into the local area, as well as enable us to make many positive process and cultural changes to our business.”
Gillian Merron, Member of Parliament for Lincoln, said
"I am delighted with Siemens decision, which is right for the company, Lincolnshire and the manufacturing industry in Britain."
"I am glad to have helped directly by bringing key people together, so that Siemens, a world class company, could agree to build a secure future in Lincolnshire"
"Lincolnshire has the people with the right skills, a thriving local economy in Lincoln and is look-ing to a positive future - this is a huge vote of confidence, which I share."
The skilled workforce in the county, its strong links with local schools and colleges and a very well established and accredited apprentice scheme were all key factors in Siemens’ determination to remain based in the Lincoln area.
Commenting on the chosen site, Nick Muntz, said: “We worked very closely with the Lincolnshire local authorities and East Midlands Development Agency over the last six months to examine a range of options for the new facility. The preferred site is a part of the Teal Park area which most closely meets our needs. The foresight and proactive approach to economic development by Lincolnshire County Council has been instrumental in helping us remain within Lincolnshire.”
“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with North Kesteven District Council particularly in its role as the planning authority,” added Nick Muntz.
Siemens employs approximately 1,900 people at its Lincoln facilities, developing, manufacturing and servicing industrial gas turbines which are used extensively in the oil and gas and industrial process industries.