Business Secretary Greg Clark and GKN Aerospace (www.gknaerospace.com) chief executive Hans Büthker revealed plans last month for the company’s new Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol.

Funded by a £17 million investment from GKN Aerospace and a £15 million commitment from the Government (through the Aerospace Technology Institute), the 10,000m² facility is expected to open in 2020.

It will house 300 skilled engineers and will include collaborative space for R&D with universities, the UK’s Catapult network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain.

The GTC will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and Industry 4.0 processes.

It will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy-efficient aircraft.

It will also serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow programme, as well as new additive-manufacturing programmes.

The Bristol centre joins a growing list of GKN Aerospace Centres of Technical Excellence around the world.

Each centre has a unique technology focus — covering AM, thermoplastics and smart aero-engine systems — and is supported and linked by a clear digital strategy.

Mr Büthker said: “GKN Aerospace can trace its engineering heritage back to the 18th century, and we are proud of our role as a leading player in the UK’s aerospace sector.

“The GTC will ensure that we continue to develop new technologies that deliver for our customers, making aircraft more sustainable and economical.

“It will also support our 4,000-strong workforce in the UK, ensuring that they remain at the cutting edge of the global aerospace industry.”