EADS Announces £35 Million Campus Expansion
Newport, South Wales, April 10, 2006: EADS today begins construction work for two new permanent, purpose-built office buildings, designed to accommodate 500 employees adjacent to the main Quadrant House building.
Due to be completed late 2007, this next phase in the expansion of the EADS Celtic Springs campus in Newport will improve the working environment of more than 400 existing EADS employees, housed in nearby temporary offices. This will leave an additional capacity for 100 new positions in future.
EADS has an option to build an additional three new buildings over the next five years in line with projected growth of 25%.
Guest of honour for the ground breaking ceremony for the first two buildings was HRH The Duke of York, KCVO, ADC, UK Special Representative for Trade and Investment. HRH The Duke of York, KCVO, ADC, visited EADS at the invitation and recommendation of International Business Wales, in recognition of the company’s reputation as one of the region’s fastest-growing knowledge businesses.
Also in attendance to mark the occasion were: The Right Worshipful Mayor of Newport, Councillor Ken Critchley; Simon Boyle HM Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent; Martin Jay, EADS UK Chairman; Len Tyler, CEO for EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd., John Burrows, CEO for Newport Unlimited, Brigadier Iain Cholerton, and Jeremy Hitchins, Managing Director of Robert Hitchins Limited, the developer of the new campus at Celtic Springs
On the day, EADS was also the location for the Gwent Exporters luncheon, held on the occasion of HRH Duke of York’s visit.
Ian Williams, Director of International Business Wales said: “EADS in Newport is one of the flagships of the modern economy in Wales. The company’s success and continued growth here is a prime example of the springboard that Welsh skills and facilities can provide for the advancement of the technology industry on a global scale. Breaking into new international markets, overcoming barriers to growth and leveraging a unified trade and investment approach to development are significant challenges facing many Welsh exporters, and these were debated in this special exporters’ business lunch held today with His Royal Highness.”
Len Tyler, CEO for EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd. acknowledges the valuable contribution of the Welsh Assembly Government’s support over the past 10 years. The £2 million grant awarded to EADS in 2003 has already helped the business to create 200 new jobs over the past two years alone, and is in part funding the two new buildings.
“Thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government, we have transformed the EADS business in Newport from a traditional manufacturer to a knowledge-led ‘Systems House’ with the experience to integrate large-scale systems in the most complex environments, on a global scale. We are taking full advantage of market opportunities and accelerating growth for the benefit of the wider Welsh economy,” says Tyler.This is a dynamic time of growth for EADS. Governments are conducting strategic defence reviews, and applying greater focus on the development of knowledge-led network-enabled capabilities. There is also increased emphasis on civil security, particularly in relation to emergency services and high-profile events.
“The government, public service organisations and the business sector are looking to better integrate information intelligence, and that plays directly to EADS’ strengths. The opportunities are out there, and we are planning ahead to ensure we have sufficient flexibility in place to expand our workforce and technology suites,” explains Tyler.
Malcolm Tyre, Senior Development Surveyor from Robert Hitchins Limited said: “This next phase of development is a significant increase in our investment at the Quadrant campus. As landlord and developer of the campus Robert Hitchins Limited is delighted to offer EADS the flexibility to accommodate its business growth at what will become an enviable business location in South Wales."