Bentley opening new R&D center in Crewe

Tue, Dec 9 2014

The world's fastest lorries. That's how Ettore Bugatti referred to cars from Bentley back in the day, employing the British term for trucks, long before the two became sister companies. Those immortal words will come true when Bentley launches its new SUV, which promises not only to be the most luxurious and prestigious but also the first to crack the 200-mile-per-hour mark. But it won't come without its share of investment.

Bentley and its parent company Volkswagen will surely have invested untold millions to bring the luxury crossover to market, but the vehicle itself isn't the only major investment the British automaker and its German owners will have made when it does. Bentley is also embarking upon an unprecedented expansion of its headquarters in Crewe.

The massive expansion plan, budgeted at over $60 million, will create over 300 new jobs and include the creation of a new research and development center on site. The facility will cover a good half-million square feet and include a design studio, R&D offices and technical workshops that will be home to some 1,300 engineers and will be "the latest step in preparing Bentley's infrastructure to bring the world's first ultra-luxury SUV to roads in 2016." Bentley may undertake some of the SUV's production at home in Crewe, but much of the work is expected to be completed alongside the next Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne in Slovakia.

The expansion plan was announced by Bentley chief Wolfgang Durheimer (also CEO of Bugatti) while George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer (Britain's equivalent to the Secretary of the Treasury or most any other government's Minister of Finance) was visiting Crewe. "Bentley is an iconic British Brand that exports around the world. Their decision to create another 300 jobs in R&D on a new site providing close to 1,000 new jobs is fantastic news for Crewe and for Britain," said Osborne. "The investment will not only create jobs at Bentley, but support many more through suppliers across the UK."

MULTI-MILLION POUND SITE EXPANSION BRINGS NEW JOBS TO BENTLEY

- GBP40 million planned investment into Bentley headquarters in Crewe
- New research and development centre to house 1,300 Bentley engineers
- 300 new roles created

(Crewe, 4 December 2014) Today, Bentley has announced the latest phase in the biggest site development in the company's history. A further GBP40 million investment will expand its headquarters in Crewe, with a new research and development centre, creating over 300 jobs in the process. This move was welcomed by George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who visited Bentley today.

The new centre, measuring over 45,000m2, will include a dedicated styling studio, research and development offices and a technical workshop. The facilities will house 1,300 Bentley engineers and is the latest step in preparing Bentley's infrastructure to bring the world's first ultra-luxury SUV to roads in 2016. Work on the new developments will commence early next year.

In addition, 300 roles have been created, working within engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing and project management.

Wolfgang Durheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, commented:
"With Bentley's new research and development centre, we will develop a new generation of Bentleys, which will continue our commitment of luxury, performance, quality and engineering excellence. Bentley is the number one luxury car manufacturer in the world and driving more investment into our headquarters and attracting talent is key to continuing our success."

Including these latest roles, Bentley has now announced the creation of over 950 jobs in the past 18 months, during which time the business has produced record sales. Last year, Bentley delivered more cars than ever before, 10,120, and expects to break that figure in 2014. The company also committed to an GBP800 million investment over three years in product and facility development, with this announcement driving the investment to GBP840 million.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne said:

"Bentley is an iconic British Brand that exports around the world. Their decision to create another 300 jobs in R&D on a new site providing close to 1,000 new jobs is fantastic news for Crewe and for Britain.

"These highly skilled jobs in this export industry are exactly the kind of opportunities we want to see created which is why in yesterday's Autumn Statement I provided further incentives for R&D in the UK.

"The investment will not only create jobs at Bentley, but support many more through suppliers across the UK.

I want Britain to be a country where companies want to invest and create jobs, as Bentley is doing today."

This expansion, the latest in a string of investments, further underlines Bentley's commitment to Crewe and the UK. These include a new apprenticeship training facility, where the largest apprentice intake in a decade will learn, a new flagship showroom, an expanded engine production facility and paint shop. Bentley is also playing a pivotal role in bringing the first University Technical College to Crewe.

For more information on current vacancies please visit www.bentleycareers.com.

By Noah Joseph