Reassuring to note that some sectors of our economy are still going from strength to strength. 24hrs after announcing a five-year partnership with GlaxoSmithKline, McLaren this morning unveiled plans to build a vast new McLaren Applied Technology centre adjacent to its existing headquarters in Woking.
MAT, for those who don't know, is the part of the McLaren Group responsible for taking the company's know-how into non-motorsport sectors.
The new building, we are told, will consist of "60,000 square metres of workshops, prototype manufacturing and testing space, research and development equipment, offices, meeting spaces, innovation hubs and informal break-out spaces."
It will mean 300 jobs during the construction phase and 400 permanent jobs once the new site has been built. McLaren also claim that an additional 200 jobs will be created indirectly through manufacturing, suppliers and clients, and increased retail spend in the area.
Whatever you think of Ron Dennis, you have to say hats off to the man. Impressive.
“This is an incredibly exciting time not just for McLaren but also for the local economy and the UK’s technology innovation sector," Dennis said in a statement. "Our recent announcement regarding our new long-term strategic partnership with GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] is evidence of the demand and growth potential of this sector.
“By dedicating a part of this proposed new building to education and training, we’ll be able to train the young engineering talent of the future as well as create pioneering solutions to a wide range of problems. As part of this planning application we’re also investigating, with Woking Borough Council, opportunities for establishing a physical presence for McLaren in the town centre, allowing the community to feel part of the success enjoyed by McLaren.”
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