Global power systems company, Rolls-Royce has today officially opened its largest manufacturing and training facilities in Asia, at Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore.
The154,000 m sq facility is reportedly the first of its kind to bring advanced aerospace high-value manufacturing technology to Singapore. The site is said to represent an investment of over S$700 million ($A520 million) by the company.
According to Rolls-Royce, the new facilities will significantly increase the Group’s manufacturing capacity and proximity to customers in the Asia Pacific region.
The company said the investment will create over 500 new jobs and will bring the number of people employed by Rolls-Royce in Singapore to over 2,000.
The company expected the Group’s value-added contribution in Singapore will increase from 0.3% of GDP currently, to 0.5% of the GDP projected in 2015.
The Seletar Campus includes: an assembly and test unit; a wide chord fan blade manufacturing facility; an advanced technology centre; and a regional training centre.
The new Rolls-Royce facilities was officially opened the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong.
Also in attendance was Rolls-Royce chairman Sir Simon Robertson and Rolls-Royce CEO Mike Terrett.
Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Leo Yip, said the Seletar campus marks a major milestone in the development of Singapore’s aerospace industry.
“We are delighted that Rolls-Royce has made such a significant commitment here. Manufacturing is fast emerging as a key engine of growth for our aerospace industry. We will continue to partner with industry leaders such as Rolls-Royce to build sophisticated manufacturing capabilities in
Singapore,” Yip said.
The campus also marks a new phase for Rolls-Royce’s presence in Singapore’s industry.
“This fantastic facility gives Rolls-Royce additional capacity to deliver our record order book,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Mike Terrett.
“For the first time outside our traditional home facilities we will produce our unique Wide Chord Fan Blades and assemble and test large commercial jet engines.
“The Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus brings together state of the art technologies, advanced manufacturing techniques and highly skilled people to produce some of the most advanced aero engines in the world.”
The Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus comprises of:
- The Seletar Assembly and Test Unit (SATU); a state of the art facility designed to allow simultaneous assembly and testing of Rolls-Royce Trent engines under one roof. At full capacity it can reportedly produce up to 250 engines per year. Initially Trent 900 and Trent 1000 aero engines will be built at SATU.
- The Group’s first Wide Chord Fan Blade (WCFB) manufacturing facility outside the UK to manufacture hollow titanium WCFBs; a unique capability and technology which has played a key role in the success of the Trent aero engine family. At full capacity, this facility could reportedly produce over 6,000 blades per year.
- An Advanced Technology Centre (ATC), which forms an important part of the Group’s global network of Research & Technology centres, which develops advanced technologies to support core business areas. Four key areas of research will take place within the ATC, namely materials support technology, computational engineering, electrical power and control systems, and manufacturing technology research.
- The Regional Training Centre (RTC) - the first such training facility for Rolls-Royce in Asia. Its purpose is to develop high-value skills and nurture talent for the future. It is part of the global network of Rolls-Royce training centres, combining the latest technology, equipment and facilities to give customers and employees in the region access to world class facilities, and internationally accredited qualifications.
Rolls-Royce is a global provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
The company has a customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
It employs approximately 40,400 across its business offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are said to be engineers.
Image: Rolls-Royce