Britten-Norman has launched its new production line at Bembridge as it repatriates manufacturing of the Islander aircraft back to the UK – with exciting plans afoot for major site expansion here on the Isle of Wight.
Dignartaries, industry experts, customers and the press gathered at Bembridge yesterday (Thursday) as the new production line of the ‘Land Rover of the skies’ was officially opened by Bob Seely MP. Those present included Alex Norman, the son of co-founder Desmond Norman.
This historic moment is the culmination of years of strategic planning and comes following the receipt of 3 letters of intent from Malta, India and Australia for a total of 18 aircraft.
From now on, the iconic Islander aircraft, variants of which have been manufactured by the company for more than 50 years, will be built at Bembridge before being transported across to Lee-on-Solent for final assembly. The 1st Islander to be built in the UK since operations moved to Romania in 1968 is expected to be completed by May 2024.
The move from Europe back to the UK signifies Britten-Norman’s commitment to British manufacturing and its dedication to fostering innovation within the aerospace sector. Returning manufacturing to the UK will not only strengthen the company’s position as the world-leading sub-regional aircraft manufacturer but also contribute to the growth and development of the British aerospace industry.
It was revealed yesterday that within the next 7 years, Britten-Norman hopes to build a new facility at Bembridge that will double production capacity. A new hanger would be built to the east of the existing 2 hangars, although it is early days and a planning application is yet to be submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
The expansion at Bembridge will be down to the success of Britten-Norman’s hydrogen project, which aims to have an Islander powered completely by hydrogen fuel in the skies in 2024.
Bringing production back to the Isle of Wight means that new jobs are being created. 12 people are currently employed but it is hoped that will increase to 16 by 2026, then to 24 by 2027. This core team will produce 2 aircraft a year, which will ramp up to 8 aircraft a year in the future with a further surge increase to a maximum of 16 aircraft.
Apprenticeships and graduate schemes are an important part of Britten-Norman’s future with 4 apprentices already employed at Bembridge, thanks to a partnership with CECAMM.
Overseeing this repatriation of manufacturing is Pete Dowers, who has worked with the company for the past 45 years. He joined the firm in September 1978 and is now firmly part of the furniture, passing on his experience and knowledge to the next generation.
William Hynett, Chief Executive of Britten-Norman, expressed his enthusiasm for this pivotal moment:
“We are immensely proud to bring production back to the UK, where our manufacturing story began nearly seven decades ago. This move underlines our dedication to the highest standards of quality, innovation, and the resurgence of British aerospace manufacturing.
“We look forward to a bright future as we continue to build world-class aircraft right here in the UK.”
Bob Seely, Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, has said:
“I am delighted that Britten-Norman has made the decision to bring back the production line of their iconic plane to where it was first built, on the Isle of Wight. It’s a major vote of confidence in the future of the Island and a significant investment for our skilled manufacturing base.
“Britten-Norman have a few issues they are discussing with me to make sure that they can make the most of their return. I will be working closely with the firm to solve those issues, and to ensure that the firm grows its workforce here.
“More broadly, skilled manufacturing is becoming an even more important part of the Island’s economy and is critical to our future. These firms are at the cutting edge of technology and manufacturing. I’m working with those skilled manufacturing firms on the Island to make sure that they have the best chances to grow their businesses, and that we grow our apprentice programmes, giving young Islanders a brighter future with better life opportunities – all part of getting a better deal for the Island.”
Good to see Seely making the most of a photo opportunity, I wonder if they were having a barbecue afterwards.
Let’s be clear on this… It has come back to the UK because of all the customs problems now that we’re no longer in the EU. I’m sure BN don’t need the help of half sausage- he’s just poking his nose in to get brownie points in Parliament.
So leaving the EU has created jobs! Along with the shed load of announcements recently from BMW, Warner Bros, Tata et al. Its all abit different to the we are all doomed if we leave the EU guff. So much for that brexit cliff edge that turned out to be 4ft high.
Great but the Romanians built the Island for half the cost of building in the UK. (BN Sales 1972-75 when we and Romanians built 100 Islanders and 10 Trislanders a year.)
Bob “welcomes” the photo opportunity. Good luck to them, but don’t invite half a sausage back again.
The “problems” could not possibly be anything to do with wanting to get more government grants like the ones already obtained for :- 1/ Major work to the roof of the main hangar; 2/ The construction of a brand new building to be used as a paint shop but was never used for production. Or could they?
Are they still leasing, to Strainstall, the large hanger situated to the west of the main hanger?
Let’s get the airfield open again too
It is open but not to Britten Norman, plenty of information in archives of local papers to see the reason. Aviation Press is carrying articles on BN being in financial difficulties and the future looks insecure.