Pirelli creates 120 UK jobs with £20m investment

Pirelli is investing up to £20m in its Carlisle operations, according to an announcement by the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg on Friday (10 August).

A press release from the UK government said: “Pirelli has committed to the expansion of the company’s activities in the UK. The company is today announcing a £11.4m investment in research and development; creating 37 new and protecting 120 UK jobs.

“The development of products in Carlisle will result in a further £9m investment in new process machinery for volume production, which will secure existing direct and indirect jobs.”

A spokeswoman from Pirelli UK confirmed the government announcement and added that the project will be in two phases: the first to develop a new product and then to industrialise the product at the Carlisle plant. The spokeswoman declined to say which application area the product would be in, but she ruled out truck and agricultural tyres.

The first phase of the project is a research and development project worth some £11.4m, which will be fully managed and implemented from within the UK.

The second phase would be to spend around £9m to buy machinery and equipment to industrialise the product at the Carlisle plant.

“The skills and expertise of British businesses are gold medal standard and highly sought after across the world,” added Clegg. “The announcements being made today will create and safeguard jobs and stimulate growth. They are a welcome boost to British business and a vote of confidence in the UK.”

“The UK is one of the top ten manufacturers in the world. Our manufacturing sector is a national success story and lies right at the heart of our strategy for economic recovery and growth.”

Pirelli's Carlisle plant makes car and light truck tyres.

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