RollsRoyce Advanced Airfoil Machining Facility

Rolls-Royce's New Virginia Plant Helps Create Advanced Manufacturing Hub

Nov. 16, 2012

The Crosspointe campus also includes the newly-opened 60,000 square foot facility for the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

Adrienne Selko

Rolls-Royce Holdings, PLC (IW 1000/256) is expanding its operations at its Crosspointe campus in Prince George County, Virginia as part of an overall strategic investment in the U.S.

"Rolls-Royce is making significant investments in the United States and around the world to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on our promises to customers," said James M. Guyette, Chairman, President and CEO, Rolls-Royce North America.

"With a mixture of manufacturing and research facilities, Crosspointe is a center of excellence for precision engineered, high tech components," Guyette added. "The expansion will help attract suppliers to Crosspointe, creating an advanced manufacturing hub in Prince George County and driving job creation."

The company announced on Thursday that it is investing $136 million to develop an Advanced Airfoil Machining Facility. which will create 140 new, highly skilled jobs. The new plant will be located alongside the company’s Rotatives manufacturing facility on the 1,000-acre Crosspointe campus, located just south of the state capital, Richmond.

The 90,000 square feet facility will produce turbine blades and nozzle guide vanes for Rolls-Royce engines, including the Trent 900, Trent 1000 and Trent XWB engines. These advanced aero engines are used in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350.

"Rolls-Royce Crosspointe truly has become a beacon for excellence in America -- a strategic intersection for high-skilled job creation, cutting-edge innovation and global competitiveness, achieved as an integrated team sharing a common vision," said Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

The Crosspointe campus also includes the newly-opened 60,000 square foot facility for the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

Rolls-Royce has invested heavily in research with a spend of $1.4 billion in 2011. The company also supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centers.

In the United States, Rolls-Royce employs more than 7,700 people in 26 states with 15 manufacturing, assembly or test facilities in 10 states including California, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.