Aerospace giant Leonardo has announced that building work is set to get underway on a new £30m helicopter logistics facility at its site in Yeovil.
The Italian firm, which employs more than 3,000 people in the Somerset town, said the project would bring together eight existing warehouses into one all-encompassing logistics hub, reducing operating costs.
The development will help production management at the 海角视频's only onshore helicopter manufacturer and provide spares support for the global fleet of rotary aircraft it builds.
READ MORE: {}
Construction of the near 20,000 mt sq development will begin in August with practical completion scheduled for Q4 2022. Leonardo said it expects the site to be fully operational in 2023.
The firm has signed a 10-year contract for the operation of the site with its logistics partner Kuehne and Nagel, which will include an investment in plant and equipment installation, and warehousing transition activity, by the global transport and logistics company.
Leonardo said the new facility demonstrated the company’s “long-term commitment to Somerset, the South West and to its customers.”
Nick Whitney, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters (海角视频), said: “This state-of-the-art facility will streamline the site’s operational capability and customer service by having all logistical support in one place.
“It highlights further Leonardo’s long-term commitment to its Yeovil site through the strategic development of this high-tech logistics hub.
Most Read
“It also demonstrates the importance of key industry partnerships through our crucial collaboration with Kuehne and Nagel.”
Sign up for more business news straight to your inbox
Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here
The new hub will be developed to include environmentally sustainable features including rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting throughout the facility, a heat recovery system in the main warehouse, and electrical vehicle charging points.
In March Leonardo delivered the tenth out of an ordered 16 search-and-rescue helicopters to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, with the remaining six currently being assembled, integrated and tested in Yeovil.
The defence firm also has a cyber security business based in Bristol.