MORE than 100 new jobs will be created at an aerospace company in Prestwick with the opening of a new manufacturing facility.

Spirit AeroSystems will add the jobs following its £22 million investment in a facility to produce spoiler wing components for Airbus 320 aircraft. The investment, which includes a £2.1m grant from Scottish Enterprise, has been hailed as a major boost for the aerospace industry in the Prestwick area.

Kansas-based Spirit is already a major employer in the Ayrshire town, where it currently employs 1,055 full-time equivalent workers. Its new manufacturing facility is understood to involve the first commercial use of a new, lightweight, composite material technology designed to reduce emissions and cut costs, key priorities for the aviation sector. The new site was opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday.

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Scott McLarty, senior vice president of Airbus programmes at Spirit, said: “This is the result of a three-year journey to secure production of the spoiler in the UK.We appreciate the investment support provided by the Scottish Government, allowing us to better meet the needs of our customers with our technology, design, engineering and manufacturing expertise.”

David Leven of Scottish Enterprise, said: “A healthy and innovative manufacturing sector is critical for the success of Scotland’s economy and we welcome this news from Spirit AeroSystems. We know investment in R&D (research and development) can unlock new products and markets for manufacturers, which leads to the creation of quality jobs in communities like Ayrshire and further across Scotland. This new facility...is evidence of why Scotland holds an enviable position as a global centre of advanced manufacturing excellence.”

Spirit received a further grant of £4.8m for its £28m Aerospace Innovation Centre, which is due to open in Prestwick later this year.