Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub · Article.
£4BN FOR ‘UK PLC’: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS – THE GREAT BRITISH SUCCESS STORY
27.04.2023 Press Release
As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks two decades of production at Goodwood, a landmark survey reveals the company’s full and extraordinary impact on both the local and national economies.
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Andrew Ball
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils results of landmark Economic Impact Analysis
- Total contribution to the UK economy since 2003 stands at more than £4 billion
- Annual contribution to economy now exceeds half a billion pounds Sterling
- Rolls-Royce is one of the largest employers in West Sussex, supporting 2,500+ full-time equivalent jobs
- A further 7,500 jobs are supported in the wider supply chain
- Major intangible and spill-over economic and community benefits
- Includes training and education, knowledge and skills transfer within supplier companies and support for local charities and social enterprise
- Independent study undertaken by London School of Economics (LSE)
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a Great British success story. As
we mark 20 years of production at our Home in Goodwood, we do so in
the knowledge that not only have we produced some of the world’s
most significant super-luxury products, we have also made a major
economic contribution to the English county we are based in and,
crucially, ‘UK PLC’. Today, I am delighted to unveil the exceptional
results of the first ever independent survey of our company’s
economic impact locally in Chichester, in the surrounding area and
nationally. Conducted for us by the London School of Economics, the
study confirms that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a major economic
contributor and one of the largest employers in West Sussex. As the
nation enters a new era with the coronation of His Majesty King
Charles III, we are proud to represent the very best of British
excellence and endeavour. Through our rare crafts and craftsmanship,
international customer base and products admired and cherished
worldwide, we are sustaining thousands of skilled jobs and playing a
key role in promoting the UK's reputation as a hub of creativity and innovation.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce
Motor Cars
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars represents some of the very best of
British design and manufacturing, and the Goodwood success story has
been a proud part of Chichester and West Sussex’s heritage and local economy.
We’ve seen a whole generation of quality jobs and cutting-edge
skills created over the past 20 years, and I can’t wait to see what
the next 20 will hold as Rolls-Royce continues to expand and grow.”
The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan, Member of Parliament, Chichester
As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks two decades of
production at Goodwood, a landmark survey reveals the company’s full
and extraordinary impact on both the local and national economies.
The independent study, the first commissioned by Rolls-Royce in
its history, was led by Dr Alexander Grous of the London School of
Economics & Political Science (LSE) and includes figures up to and
including 2022. Furthermore, this study is clear proof that, by
putting exceptional products into the hands of the world’s most
influential people, Great Britain secures its place as a centre of
design, craft and engineering excellence on the world stage and, by
extension, the nation benefits.
OVERALL ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
The LSE report
shows that since production began at Goodwood in 2003, Rolls-Royce has
contributed more than £4 billion to the UK economy, serving as a
flagship of the nation’s luxury and automotive sectors and, crucially,
‘UK PLC’. This contribution is long-term and sustainable. Rolls-Royce
invests around £10 million every year in its facilities and operations
to support its production, reflected in a series of ‘record years’
peaking to date in 2022 at over 6,000 motor cars sold worldwide.
Rolls-Royce is also able to confirm its standing as one of the largest
employers in West Sussex, England.
SUPPORTING JOBS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY
More than
2,500 people are employed at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood,
including 150 jobs created in 2022 alone. The company also supports
more than 7,500 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs within its
wider national supply chain. Importantly, Rolls-Royce did not make a
single redundancy during the Covid-19 pandemic – one of very few UK
manufacturers to maintain its workforce entirely intact.
As one of the largest employers in West Sussex, Rolls-Royce
Motor Cars has a substantial positive impact on the local economy.
Around 20% of its total annual contribution is generated directly
within West Sussex and bordering counties, including salaries and
wages of staff employed at the Home of Rolls-Royce. In addition, the
company also operates its Technology and Logistics Centre (TLC) eight
miles away in Bognor Regis, which supports a further 1,000 direct and
indirect jobs.
INDIRECT AND INTANGIBLE
CONTRIBUTIONS
Rolls-Royce contributes to the local and
national knowledge economies through its leading-edge R&D in
fields including hardware, software, electrification, digitalisation
and vehicle connectivity. These activities are growing rapidly in both
scale and importance, with Rolls-Royce committed to all-electric
propulsion by the end of 2030.
The LSE study notes that Rolls-Royce encourages significant
innovation, development and improvements within its wider supply
chain. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have adopted new
technologies, processes and practices to meet Rolls-Royce’s exacting
requirements, raising standards and boosting competitiveness across a
wide swathe of the UK’s manufacturing base.
Rolls-Royce also produces important intangible benefits for the
local economy and population. For example, every year it supports more
than 100 apprenticeship, graduate and intern positions, in partnership
with local further and higher education institutions, leading to
well-paid and highly skilled employment opportunities. The company
enjoys close ties with surrounding communities: recent projects
include developing a dedicated new car park for The March CE Primary
School which adjoins the Goodwood site, and supporting local mentoring
and work-based initiatives. In addition, employees nominate their
House Charity each year, raising significant sums for local good causes.
A CONTINUING SUCCESS STORY
Rolls-Royce Motor
Cars has formally announced proposals to expand the Home of
Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. It has acquired land to the east of the
current site and planning permission will be sought later this year.
The project’s primary objective is to upgrade the manufacturing
plant; some facilities and equipment are now 20 years old and require
replacement and upgrading. The company is also looking to increase
capacity for its Bespoke and Coachbuild operations, as well as
preparing for its new generation of electric vehicles. The first
customer deliveries of the all-electric super-coupé, Rolls-Royce
Spectre, are due in the fourth quarter of 2023: all new Rolls-Royce
models will be electric by the end of 2030.
The expansion does not, however, signal any shift in the
marque’s fundamental approach or values: Rolls-Royce is not, never has
been and never will be a volume-driven business. The new facility will
reflect the fact that the marque is no longer simply an automotive
manufacturer, but a true luxury house creating the world’s best, most
recognised and highly prized Bespoke products.