West Midlands-based Meggitt plc — the international aerospace, defence and energy engineering group — has started the construction of a new £130 million ‘super-site’ with a ground-breaking ceremony led by Meggitt chief executive Tony Wood and Andy Street (Mayor of the West Midlands).

The event at the Ansty Park site was attended by Meggitt employees, regional organisations and local dignitaries.

The ‘super-site’ — due to become operational towards the end of 2019 — will provide a base for up to 1,000 employees, combining a range of operations in a ‘state of the art’ aerospace engineering and technology environment.

It will also serve as the new home for Meggitt’s international headquarters, and it will be a hub for next-generation aerospace innovation and R&D.

Meggitt (www.meggitt.com) also unveiled its new Corporate Apprenticeship Programme, which will ensure that it continues to nurture the skills and talent it needs for the future.

The first cohort of 20 apprentices will join the company this summer. In addition to developing their skills at Meggitt and learning about various aspects of the company’s operations, they will be trained at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.

Tony Wood said: “This marks another major advance in the development of Meggitt’s global engineering and manufacturing capability.

“It is also a significant investment in the long-term future of Meggitt — both in the Midlands and in the UK.”