Rolls-Royce is planning to invest $42m to build an advanced manufacturing facility at Crosspointe in Indianapolis, US to produce high-precision turbine blades for aircraft engines.
The new 90,000 ft² facility will manufacture Compressor Banded Stators which will be incorporated into engines made by the company, including the Trent XWB that will power the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft expected to debut in 2013.
James M. Guyette, Rolls-Royce North America chairman, president and CEO, said: "Our vision for Crosspointe is to create a hub of advanced manufacturing innovation, one that is based on partnerships with major universities, government and business – partnerships critical to the future of American jobs and the economy."
Guyette added: "This potential investment in the Advanced Blade Machining Facility would take us another step closer to making our vision for Crosspointe a reality."
The new facility will also manufacture components for the company’s Trent 1000, AE series and T56 turboprop engines which will later be transported to the company’s facilities in North America and worldwide. Groundbreaking on the new facility will be done by the end of this year, with construction completed next year and pre-production operation beginning in 2014.
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By GlobalDataThe Advanced Blade Machining Facility is the second investment by the company at its Crosspointe campus following the advanced manufacturing and research centre that opened in Prince George County in 2011.
The company has invested over $1bn in new facilities in the US, with the new Compressor Banded Stators facility in Indianapolis being the latest investment.
Rolls Royce has also invested $50m in the expansion of a second jet engine test stand at the NASA John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, US.
Image: Rolls Royce has opened the first advanced manufacturing and research centre at its Crosspointe campus last year. Photo: Rolls Royce.
