JLR invests heavily in new plant for Castle Bromwich site.

VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is gearing up for a major increase in production at its Castle Bromwich plant after a massive new order for plant infrastructure.

The plant, which manufactures Jaguar cars, is already scaling up production where in addition to the XK, XF and XJ models it also now produces the two-seater F-Type sports car.

The company has also announced it is to increase volumes significantly by producing a new small sports saloon, although this will be made at the nearby Lode Lane plant in Solihull where £1.5bn is being invested in new production facilities.

To facilitate growth at Castle Bromwich, the Indian-owned business has placed an order for five massive new overhead cranes for its press shop.

Materials Handling World said the company had placed an order for five Konecranes for the factory. The cranes are all from Konecranes UK's Smarton SMT range and will operate on average spans of 27 to 29 metres.

Two of the cranes are 60 tonnes - one of which is to be a 60/30 tonne with two trolleys where both hooks are equipped with motorised rotation. In another bay, and operating with similar features to the two 60t cranes, will be two 32 tonne heavy duty cranes. The fifth crane will be a 30 tonne model.

The magazine said the contract also specified the dismantling and relocation of an existing 50 tonne Konecrane. The new cranes will all be delivered from Konecranes UK's manufacturing facility in East Kilbride during March 2014.

The contract is a further indication of JLR’s long-term plans for the future of the Castle Bromwich plant.

The company has already bought up a multiplex cinema on a site next to the factory n order to cater for expansion, while it is also in talks to acquire the nearby Dunlop Motorsport factory to provide further space.

It is thought the company will also unveil a coupe version of the F-Type at the Los Angeles next month, although it has yet to confirm whether a 4x4 concept crossover Jaguar, which was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will be put into production.  

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