Rolls Royce announced it is investing in new plant at its Barnoldswick facility in East Lancashire to make engine fan blades for the Joint Strike Fighter. The total investment in product development across the UK by RR and the government is valued at £300m.
Earlier in the year the Barnoldswick plant was subject to job losses so this is a boost in the area. Overall it adds to the north-wests part in the aircraft and defence manufacturing industry and this has both an upside and a downside. The upside being the jobs are generally highly skilled and quite well paid but the downside being subject to the fluctuations of one sector. Particularly the F35 which will have a large airframe facility at BAE SYSTEMS Samlesbury. Good news for jobs in the next few years anyway.