Fortescue has announced plans to significantly grow its UK battery and electric powertrain manufacturing capabilities with a new advanced production facility in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The expansion follows the company’s acquisition of WAE (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering) and will create over 120 skilled engineering roles. The 13,500 square meter plant will focus on producing zero-emission systems for heavy vehicles including trucks and trains, reinforcing Britain’s position in green technology development.
Strengthening UK-Australia Industrial Ties
The investment comes as a direct result of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, with Fortescue Chairman Andrew Forrest emphasizing the strategic importance of building sovereign capabilities in clean energy technology. “British engineering will be at the cutting edge of the green energy economy,” Forrest stated during an event attended by the UK Trade Secretary. The new facility represents a vote of confidence in both the UK’s industrial workforce and its attractiveness for advanced manufacturing investment.
Global Market Ambitions
Fortescue’s Oxfordshire expansion forms part of a broader strategy to supply advanced battery systems and electric powertrains worldwide. The Banbury site will serve as a production hub for decarbonization technologies across multiple industrial sectors, leveraging WAE’s established expertise in high-performance battery systems. This move positions the UK operation as a key contributor to Fortescue’s global push to electrify heavy transport and industrial equipment.
Recruitment Drive for Green Tech
The company has immediately begun recruiting for the industrialisation program, seeking:
- Highly skilled engineers and technicians
- Engineering apprentices and graduates
- Specialists in battery system production
These roles will support the full product lifecycle from development through to manufacturing, creating a center of excellence for zero-emission propulsion technologies in Oxfordshire.
Strategic Industrial Development
Fortescue’s investment underscores how free trade agreements can stimulate high-value manufacturing growth while addressing climate challenges. By combining Australian resources with British engineering expertise, the partnership aims to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors. The Banbury facility represents a tangible outcome of international cooperation on clean technology development, creating skilled jobs while advancing the transition to sustainable industrial operations.
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