Rolls Royce to build new Tech & logistics centre in, wait for it... Bognor Regis, well, I suppose someone has to work there.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today that a new Technology and Logistics Centre will be built at Bognor Regis, close to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. The new 30,000m² centre will consolidate a number of current logistics functions and allow for future expansion.

The Technology and Logistics Centre will be located on the Oldlands Farm Business Park on the northern edge of Bognor Regis, eight miles from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Centre will be ideally situated to take advantage of the forthcoming Bognor Regis Northern Relief Road, due to open in 2015. Around 200 people will be employed at the Centre, with a number of new roles created in addition to those transferred from existing logistics functions. The Technology and Logistics Centre is planned to be fully operational in early 2016.

The site has been identified by Arun District Council as part of its ‘Enterprise Bognor Regis’ initiative. The area is being developed as a new premier business location in West Sussex, reserved for mixed office, industrial and supporting development to deliver a new generation of buildings in a high quality environment to sustain both newly established and growing businesses. Rolls-Royce will be the first major business to take advantage of the initiative.

The Technology and Logistics Centre will consolidate three current operations – an inbound warehouse for production parts; a distribution centre, including an inbound body store and finished car store and a workshop for car preparation. The Centre will be managed on behalf of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars by an external logistics provider.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “I am delighted to announce our new Technology and Logistics Centre, which reflects the sustainable development and ongoing success of our business. Every Rolls-Royce motor car is built at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and this new facility will provide the required local logistics support for our current and future models.” He continued, “Rolls-Royce is a British manufacturing success and we remain fully committed to building our future here in West Sussex.”

Business Minister, Matthew Hancock, said, “This terrific new centre at Bognor Regis will give a huge boost to the local economy, and safeguard 200 jobs. It’s testament to one of our Great British success stories, Rolls-Royce, and its valued contribution to UK manufacturing.”

Nick Gibb MP for Bognor Regis & Littlehampton and Minister of State for Schools, said, “To have attracted a company of the calibre of Rolls-Royce to Bognor Regis is a major coup for our town. The association of Rolls-Royce with Bognor Regis, Chichester, Goodwood and West Sussex can only help the long term economic prosperity of the area. Credit and thanks should go to Arun District Council’s leadership and hard work and the Board of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for the opportunities this new facility will deliver for our town.”

Councillor Mrs Gill Brown, Leader of Arun District Council, said, “This is exceptionally good news for Bognor Regis and the district as a whole. We are delighted that Rolls-Royce has chosen to base their new Technology and Logistics Centre at Enterprise Bognor Regis. The council is committed to supporting business growth and the creation of more employment opportunities in the area. The foresight shown by the council to retain this strategic site for employment uses and progress a Local Development Order is evidence that we are very much open and ready for business. This is a significant step forward for the regeneration of Bognor Regis and I am confident more will come in the near future. We welcome Rolls-Royce and look forward to future opportunities to work together.”

Ron Crank, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, said, “We very much welcome this new investment and further expansion by Rolls-Royce in West Sussex.  It will help our region to remain at the cutting edge of automotive design, logistics and manufacture, whilst creating opportunities for local people to develop careers with a globally renowned company.”