Leading Midland civil and structural engineering consultancy CWA Ltd has been appointed to deliver the civil and structural engineering work for a new £250 million factory for the London Taxi Company.
The Coventry-based manufacturer of the iconic London taxicab has confirmed Ansty Park as the site for a new state-of-the-art 80,000 sq metre factory to make the TX5, an upgraded “green” version of the classic London cab, due to be launched in 2018. Production of the current TX4 would remain at the company’s base in Holyhead Road, Coventry.
The London Taxi Company has also confirmed that the new Ansty Park facility will create around 1,000 jobs. Ansty Park has already attracted considerable investment in technology, research and development and is home to the pioneering Manufacturing Technology Centre, which is also developing an Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre and an Aerospace Research Centre on the park.
The new plant will ultimately have the capacity to build 36,000 vehicles a year. The investment has been backed by the UK Regional Growth fund and other UK and local government support.
Director of Birmingham-based CWA, Steve Wedge said the consultancy was delighted to be involved in such an important and high profile project.
“This project will be a very significant development for an area which is already building a reputation for attracting research and development and advanced manufacturing investment. It gives CWA the opportunity to prove our capabilities in a high profile project,” he said.
The Coventry cab maker has enjoyed a significant turnaround since it was rescued from the brink of collapse by Chinese firm Geely in February 2013. Geely bought LTC from Manganese Bronze Holdings in a deal worth £11.4 million.
CWA Ltd – based in the Jewellery Quarter – was established in 2011 as Copeland Wedge Associates. The consultancy provides civil and structural design consultancy services to a wide range of sectors including leisure, residential, education, health, industrial, retail, infrastructure and public bodies.
Major clients include Willmott Dixon Construction and Housing, Balfour Beatty, Seven Capital, RO Developments, Prologis, IM Properties, Speller Metcalfe, Wates Construction and Bullock Construction.
The company has delivered buildings for major end-user clients including West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Housing 21, Midland Heart, Rooftop Housing, Orbit Homes, Chevin Homes, Wrekin Housing, University of Warwick, Aston University, Coventry Sports Foundation and Marks and Spencer.