The end of phase two marks the completion of building work at the facility, which involves the conversion of three super hangars at the former Ministry of Defence site into a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly facility.
Aston Martin’s board of directors held their first meeting in St Athan to mark the completion of the building work and were briefed on the progress of the project, in which production of the company’s first sports utility vehicle (SUV) is due to begin in late 2019.
The St Athan plant is set to bring up to 750 new employment opportunities to the South Wales region. Of the total workforce, 150 employees have been recruited as part of the pre-production preparations.
The fit-out of the super hangars - the third and final phase of the construction project - has already begun ahead of the inaugural production planned for next year.
Says Aston Martin president and chief Dr Andy Palmer: “We are delighted at the progress being made at the St Athan site. The team have done a fantastic job in advancing the facility and I was incredibly proud to chair our first Board meeting at the new plant. Wales has a long history of engineering excellence and the Board is delighted that it will play such an important part in Aston Martin’s development.”
Adds Ken Skates, Welsh cabinet secretary for economy and transport: “I am delighted to see our partnership with Aston Martin, right in the heart of our Cardiff Airport and St Athan Enterprise Zone, coming to fruition.
“Progress to date continues to match the company’s aspiration for future growth and, when complete, the site will provide highly-skilled employment and world-class apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive sector for many generations to come. I wish them the same success with the next phase.”
Phase one construction, which involved the creation of the customer and staff reception areas, administration and management offices and the employee restaurant, was completed in February.