www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 13 Talent development is a core component of the agreement alongside the technical research. Università del Salento students will have access to thesis placements, research scholarships, and short and medium-term involvement in CWP Engineering’s live projects, while CWP gains a direct line to talented trained young people for the same problems the firm works on daily. Joint training workshops and integrated teaching using EUMER’s facilities are also planned, alongside internships for engineering students. With a five-year term and an option to renew, the partnership is structured to support a sustained pipeline of joint projects, shared publications, and applied research as coastal and port engineering challenges around the Mediterranean continue to evolve. GE Aerospace has announced a £30 million investment to expand and modernise its Prestwick site, strengthening capacity and operational flow to better support customers across its commercial engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) network. The investment reflects the strategic importance of the Prestwick site to both the regional economy and the wider aerospace sector. It is supported by £27 million from the Ayrshire Growth Deal along with a planned £6 million investment from Scottish Enterprise*. Together, the planned £57 million investment will support site development, enabling works and fit-out, helping prepare Prestwick for future growth, long-term customer demand and the creation of around 150 jobs at the site. “This investment reflects GE Aerospace’s commitment to our customers and to the future of our Prestwick site,” said Andy Prow, Site Leader, GE Aerospace in Prestwick. “By expanding and modernising the facility with the help of government partners, we are improving capacity, operational flow and readiness for future demand, while helping hire and train additional workers from the area.” GE Aerospace invests £30m in Prestwick expansion The project builds on more than two years of analysis and planning, informed by collaboration across GE Aerospace with the Ayrshire Growth Deal and regional stakeholders. A central part of the expansion is a new 55,000 sq. ft building. The investment will help improve site layout, logistics, access and operational flow, creating the capacity needed to support future demand. The project is being delivered on an accelerated schedule, with full operations targeted for Q1 2028. Public sector support reflects the importance of aerospace to Scotland’s economy and confidence in the future of the Prestwick site. The £27 million in public funding will support site development, enabling works and facility fit-out. As an important employer in the region, the Prestwick site supports highly skilled aerospace jobs and capabilities. GE Aerospace has plans to hire around 150 workers over the next 5 years. The UK team is currently made up of 4,100 employees and GE Aerospace has invested over £7 million in manufacturing and £19 million in MRO in the UK in 2026. This expansion will help strengthen long-term capacity, support future skills needs and reinforce the site’s role in the broader aerospace supply chain.
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