Carmaker McLaren have announced today that they are to create over 200 new jobs at a new factory in Rotherham near Sheffield. The new technology centre is being built in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. The plant will work on production of their carbon-fibre chassis for road going vehicles. The McLaren composites technology centre will be in full swing by 2020 and is supported by the Sheffield council and is set to be a major boost for the local economy.
A wise choice for McLaren as the Sheffield Hallam University also works with carmakers Rolls Royce and aerospace industry leaders Boeing.
A Quote from the CEO Mike Flewitt can be found here on the Guardian Newspapers website and goes on to explain;
“The McLaren F1 was the world’s first road car to be built with a carbon fibre chassis and every car built more recently by McLaren Automotive has the same.”
Although Alfa Romeo have also been manufacturing road cars with carbon fibre chassis for some time and BMW have used the technology in their M Cars for nearly two decades where production of the e46 M3 CSL in 2002 saw a carbon fibre roof panel which assisted the car in lowering its centre of gravity and helped with high speed cornering ability.
Mike Flewitt went on to comment
“Creating a facility where we can manufacture our own carbon fibre chassis structures is therefore a logical next step. We evaluated several options to achieve this objective, but [this] opportunity was compelling.
“At the AMRC, we will have access to some of the world’s finest composites and materials research capabilities, and I look forward to building a world-class facility and talented team at the new McLaren composites technology centre.”