GKN Aerospace is ramping up production of a military aircraft contract that has already brought a long-term multi million pound boost to the East Cowes company’s order book.
The company marked the delivery of the 1,000th nacelle – a cover housing the engine – for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Super Hercules military airlifter with the announcement production rates are set to be double from two years ago.
Last year’s five-year contract extension from Lockheed enabled GKN to move manufacture to a newly-created production line at the company’s Osborne site.
The new facility will provide long-term work for more than 60 people and produce around 30 nacelle sets a year.
GKN vice-president and managing director, nacelles, Jeff Armitage said: "The C-130J has been a vital programme for this site for approaching two decades now. Our latest contract extension will take us to our 20 year anniversary in 2013.
"The production line security provided by Lockheed Martin’s practice of awarding long term contracts has allowed us to continuously invest in our processes, regularly introducing new technologies and practices."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk