McLaren set to open new £50m technology centre in Sheffield

Sheffield will be location of the new Yorkshire-based facility for McLaren as the supercar maker is set to open a new £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC).

The company has said it aims to innovate the process for making the ultra lightweight and strong carbon fibre tubs that are at the heart of all of its luxury family of sportscars and supercars.

The finished tubs will then be sent to the McLaren Production Centre in Surrey where the company’s vehicles have been hand-assembled since 2011.

Ruth Nic Aoidh, McLaren’s executive director, commercial and legal, received the key to the building from Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Group plc who have built the unit for McLaren’s use at the advanced manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Around 45 McLaren employees are already housed at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), innovating the process for creating lightweight tubs and when fully operational, the team will grow to around 200 people.

Ruth Nic Aoidh, McLaren automotive’s executive director, commercial and legal for McLaren Automotive, said: “Getting the key to the building that will house the McLaren Composites Technology Centre is a major milestone for us and the next chapter in our growth as a young, ambitious, innovative company.

“It’s also an important day for all of the many individuals, organisations and suppliers who have supported and shared our ambitious plan to make the Sheffield region home to McLaren’s second production facility. This project is also testament to their shared mindset and the region’s long association with advanced materials that we are able to draw on and benefit from.

“Over the coming months the centre will be fitted out with the production equipment we need to become fully operational next year and support hundreds of skilled jobs.”

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