Boeing Sheffield has officially opened its new 6,000m² fabrication factory alongside the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

This is the company’s first manufacturing site in Europe; it is making actuation-system components for its 737 and 767 jets, which are assembled at the Boeing plant in Portland, Oregon.

At full capacity, the factory will produce thousands of parts each month.

Boeing senior vice-president Jenette Ramos (www.boeing.com) said: “We appreciate all the community support for Boeing’s new advanced manufacturing factory in the UK.

This is a fabulous example of how we are engaging global talent to provide greater value to our customers.

"In Boeing Sheffield, we are building on long-standing relationships and the region’s manufacturing expertise to enhance our production system and continue to connect, protect, explore and inspire aerospace innovation.”

The company will manufacture more than 100 different high-tech actuation components that move the flaps at the back of the wing to provide extra lift during take-off and landing.

The new facility represents an investment by Boeing of more than £40 million.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Boeing choosing the heart of South Yorkshire as its first European home is testament to our capabilities, talent pool and strong manufacturing supply chains, which are vital to job creation and creating value for local economies.”

Worcester-based Aeromet International Ltd will supply Boeing Sheffield with high-strength, complex and multi-core aluminium cast parts, while Maher Ltd will supply bespoke steel bar and pre-machined components made of steel from Liberty Speciality Steels (located three miles from the new Boeing factory).

Rotherham-based MetLase Ltd has been chosen as the tooling and fixturing partner, while Mettis Aerospace Ltd will supply steel alloy precision-forged components.

Other partners include, Mills CNC, Mitutoyo, Nikken, Starrag and WFL.