Automated production systems supplier, VDL Steelweld, has secured a significant order - its largest ever - to provide production automation at one of Jaguar Land Rover's West Midlands plants.
"We are extremely pleased to have won this prestigious order," comments Darren Dowsett, Manager of VDL Steelweld UK, based in Barford, Warwickshire, "which is the largest single order VDL Steelweld has ever received."
Recent press reports indicate that Tata Motors, the Indian group that owns Jaguar Land Rover, is committed to investing £5 billion in product development, creating thousands of new jobs. The investment in Jaguar Land Rover, which was purchased by Tata for £1.5 billion back in 2008, reflects growing demand for luxury brands as the global economic climate improves.
VDL Steelweld, part of the Dutch-owned VDL Groep, has successfully completed a number of other projects for Jaguar Land Rover, including the acclaimed production systems for the all-aluminium Jaguar XJ at the company's plant at Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. Other blue-chip automotive clients for VDL Steelweld include BMW, Ford and Volvo.
Adds Darren Dowsett, "This order, along with another significant order for BMW's Mini plant in Oxford, means that we are looking to expand our UK operations by recruiting skilled project managers and project engineers."