Thursday 6th April 2017

Aston Martin officially in Wales

MOD formally hands over St Athan to Aston (and we'll be there on Sunday!)

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While the news of Aston Martin taking up residence in Wales has been known for a while now, today it has been made official: the former St Athan RAF base has been formally signed over to Aston by the Ministry of Defence.

Parking sorted for Sunday then...

It will be used primarily for the production of the DBX crossover, with the development said to be on course for the first builds to start in 2019. Already 750 direct new jobs have been created in South Wales, with a further 3,000 set to follow across the supply chain and local businesses.

The build is now in Phase II (Phase I was creating offices, reception areas and, crucially, the restaurant) with the three super hangers being redeveloped into a place you can actually build cars. As a result of this supply chain companies will bid for contracts worth more than £60m to help with construction, part of the Welsh Government's 'Sell to Wales' initiative.

The launch was attended by Aston CEO Andy Palmer, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones. Palmer commented: "Due to its sheer size and scale the St Athan Super Hangars represented an excellent opportunity for us to build our second manufacturing facility".

The DBXs will be rolling out of here soon!

And it wouldn't be an industry news story in 2017 without mention of Britain's departure from the European Union. Alun Cairns: "As the UK exits the EU, we are determined that our country remains a great place to invest and to do business. Aston Martin's decision to invest in Wales shows that we are creating and supporting the right conditions for industry investment." So there you are...

Even better news is that PH will be visiting this new facility at the weekend! If you were fortunate enough to get on the Aston Sunday Service list we look forward to seeing you there on Sunday. Should be a good one!

 

 

 

[V8 FOU]

So, do we still have to be "accompanied" accross the runway?
Is the airport going to still be active under A-M?

Anyway, good for them.

[V8 FOU]

Oilchange said:

Good news for Aston Martin and Wales. But what of my old friends that were parked in the super hangar?

Re-cycled aluminium for A-M's new model. The Vintage.