Atherstone aerospace manufacturer ANT Industries has welcomed a £300 million investment in UK manufacturing and engineering facilities by Rolls-Royce, describing the announcement as another strong indication of the long-term growth taking place across Britain’s aerospace industry.
Rolls-Royce has outlined plans to invest across its UK operations in Derby, Bristol, Inchinnan, Rotherham and Ansty, supporting additional manufacturing capacity, engineering capability and future aerospace programmes.
More than £140 million will be invested in Derby, the centre of Rolls-Royce’s UK Civil Aerospace operations, with new engineering and manufacturing facilities planned to support future growth.
Further investment includes £43 million at Inchinnan, near Glasgow, where new machinery will enable the manufacture of additional engine components, and £19 million at the company’s Advanced Blade Casting Facility in Rotherham. The Rotherham programme is expected to double output of advanced turbine blades by 2030.
For ANT Industries, which manufactures precision aero-engine components from its headquarters in Atherstone, Warwickshire, the scale and geographical reach of the programme provides further evidence of the investment flowing through the UK aerospace manufacturing base.
Managing Director Shaun Rowley said the announcement was particularly welcome for companies working within the Rolls-Royce supply chain.
“This is fantastic news for British aerospace manufacturing and, as a Rolls-Royce supplier, it is something we are very pleased to see,” said Rowley.
“When a major customer commits £300 million to its UK manufacturing and engineering capability, it gives suppliers a clear sense of the ambition across the industry. Aerospace programmes operate over many years, so investment on this scale carries real significance for the companies, skills and manufacturing capacity that support them.”
The latest programme takes Rolls-Royce’s investment in the UK to more than £3 billion since 2023. The company also spent more than £2.8 billion with UK-based suppliers during 2025, demonstrating the scale of the domestic supply chain supporting its operations.
The announcement arrives during a period of strong demand across civil aerospace. Rolls-Royce reported a 46 per cent increase in underlying operating profit to £2.5 billion for the first half of 2026, supported by demand across its aerospace and defence businesses.
ANT Industries has experienced the same momentum at supply-chain level, with its order book reaching record levels as global aircraft production and engine demand continue to drive work through the sector.
Rowley said: “We are seeing the aerospace ramp-up first-hand in Atherstone. Our order book reflects the level of activity taking place across the engine market, and that is driving our own investment in people, equipment and manufacturing capability.
“There is also something very encouraging about seeing this investment taking place here in the UK. Rolls-Royce supports a substantial network of specialist manufacturers, engineers and suppliers, so investment at that level creates opportunities throughout the wider aerospace manufacturing community.
“For ANT Industries, our focus is on continuing to deliver the quality, precision and capacity our customers require as volumes grow. We are proud to play our part in a British aerospace industry that is investing for its next phase of growth.”
Rolls-Royce said its investment will help ensure its UK infrastructure can meet manufacturing demand while supporting the development of future aerospace programmes.
For specialist manufacturers such as ANT Industries, that commitment adds another important piece to a wider picture emerging across UK aerospace: growing production requirements, investment in manufacturing capacity and a supply chain preparing for sustained demand over the years ahead.
Photo: Source: Rolls Royce