Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that it will be spending an additional £1 billion with UK automotive suppliers over the next four years, thanks to continued global demand for the Range Rover Evoque. The company has already sold more than 60,000 Range Rover Evoque models globally.
JLR’s £1 billion spend with the UK automotive supply chain over the next four years is in addition to the £2 billion supply contracts that it awarded to more than 40 UK suppliers in March 2011. These suppliers provide components, facilities and services to support the Range Rover Evoque production line at Halewood on Merseyside.
In a separate announcement, the company confirmed that a new logistics facility in Ellesmere Port will open this summer to support the success of both the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2 models, creating around 300 new jobs. JLR’s logistics provider, DHL, will manage the purpose-built site to enhance its existing operations at the Halewood plant. Details of how to apply for the new roles will be released by DHL in the near future.
Dr Ralf Speth, CEO Jaguar Land Rover, said “Today’s announcements demonstrate JLR’s strong products and clear ambition for continued growth. The demand we have seen across the globe for the Range Rover Evoque means we are able to significantly increase what we spend with our suppliers, which is great news for the UK economy, and the thousands of jobs JLR supports in its supply chain. Our commitment to the North West will also be enhanced with the new logistics facility and this will support the future success of both our Freelander 2 and Range Rover Evoque models.”
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Manufacturing is continuing to lead our economic recovery with automotive at the forefront of long-term growth opportunities. The major investment commitments made by global vehicle manufacturers to their UK plants and facilities are now beginning to create more jobs and stronger growth in the supply chain.”
Paul Dyer, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain’s automotive services in the UK and Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to continue our support for JLR’s ever-growing expansion plans. As the UK’s North West region is fast becoming a major supply chain hub for the automotive industry, this new facility will greatly enhance the next stage of the company’s development and future success.”
In April 2012, JLR announced that more than 35,000 candidates had applied for 1,000 new jobs at its Halewood plant, which will support production of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2. This recruitment campaign will take the workforce at Halewood to almost 4,500 – trebling the number employed there compared to three years ago – as the plant moves to three shifts and 24 hour production.
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Read about SMMT’s ongoing commitment to driving growth in the supply chain.
