A CO Down engineering firm with its roots in shipbuilding is the sole Northern Ireland business to be involved in a £35 million research project to develop a new electric specialist vehicle for Jaguar Land Rover.
Advanced composites manufacturer CCP Gransden in Ballygowan, established in 1893 and employing 25 staff, is to be part of the 'Project Tucana' consortium, which it says will future-proof the business and provide opportunities for significant future growth.
The firm's managing director Jim Erskine said: "We've developed an advanced composite manufacturing cell that is highly automated and enables us to manufacture composite parts at a fast rate and to a high quality.
"We're delighted Jaguar Land Rover has given us the opportunity to work with them on this important project. We are proud to be at the forefront of continuing to develop the manufacturing sector within Northern Ireland.”
Electrified vehicles require stiffer, lighter vehicle structures to boost their performance.
Project Tucana will deliver this vision by developing world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions. In doing so the project will allow the true environmental credentials of electric vehicles to be realised by enabling wider adoption.
CCP Gransden is a member company of the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE).
Its general manager Dave Thompson said: "To be associated with one of the most iconic names in motoring history is a fantastic endorsement of the aim, focus and professionalism of CCP Gransden, and this comes as little surprise.
"We have seen the company consistently invest in their technical skills and capabilities over a number of years. Their innovation and expertise in the use of composite materials, particularly for high-end automotive use, marks the company out as one of the most innovative in this area. This latest endeavour will increase their capabilities even further."
Dr Leslie Orr, regional director of ADS, the national trade body representing aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, also welcomed CCP Gransden’s participation in the project, adding: “Automotive, aerospace, defence and other industries are looking for new materials and processes to make their products stronger and at the same time lighter.
"CCP Gransden are a progressive and innovative SME, developing new composites materials and new ways of making products. Driving forward on projects like this will keep them at the forefront of these new technologies and open new markets and opportunities.”
