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South Yorkshire Mayor’s £2m grant unlocks £19m Rolls-Royce investment in Rotherham advanced manufacturing capability | Rolls-Royce

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The Advanced Blade Casting Facility, Rotherham, UK

Rolls-Royce has announced a £19.3m investment in its highly specialised Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) in Rotherham, following a grant of £2m from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

The total of £21.3m is funding an increase in the capability and productivity of the facility, which manufactures some of the world’s most advanced turbine blades for Rolls-Royce jet engines that power long haul aircraft. Additional specialist machines funded by the investment will double output at the facility by 2030.

Nigel Bird, Executive Vice President, Turbine Systems, for Rolls-Royce, said:

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We’re grateful to South Yorkshire’s Mayor for his support. It’s a clear example of how regional government can generate confidence for private sector investment, helping to retain and expand this type of unique UK capability, and supporting UK exports.

“Thanks to Rolls-Royce's ongoing transformation we’re able to make this investment, which will bring benefits to the region and our customers. Our incredible team in Rotherham are making components every day that are pushing the boundaries of science. This investment is a vote of confidence in them and in the capability of the wider region to stay at the forefront of advanced manufacturing. We look forward to future collaboration that will help keep these valuable skills in the community.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:

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South Yorkshire is home to world‑class engineering, world‑class innovation and world‑class talent.

“I’m proud that our support will help to unlock growth, keep cutting‑edge manufacturing here in South Yorkshire and further strengthen our role at the heart of the UK’s advanced manufacturing industry.”

ABCF casts, machines and inspects intermediate and high pressure turbine blades for the Trent XWB-84 which powers the Airbus A350-900 and the Trent 1000 XE, which powers the Boeing 787. Each high pressure turbine blade generates the power of a Formula 1 car, with between 60 and 90 inside each engine to provide enough thrust to propel some of the largest and most efficient aircraft into the sky.

The ABCF employs more than 300 people, largely from the local area, and was opened in 2015. It forms part of the world class UK advanced manufacturing capability for Rolls-Royce and is part supported by a complex global supply chain.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
  1. Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 47 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
  3. Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £20.1 billion in 2025, and underlying operating profit was £3.46 billion.
  5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).
    www.rolls-royce.com

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