Moog seals the deal on i54 move
A vice-president of aerospace giant Moog said he hopes the company’s decision to stay in Wolverhampton will encourage further investment into the city. Joseph Bell spoke to Insider as the actuation systems company exchanged contracts over its move to a new-build facility on the i54 business park in Wolverhampton.
Bell, the vice-president of acquisition integration at Moog, said: “It was really important to us to stay in Wolverhampton. We bought the company about a year ago, but the current premises on Wobaston Road were not included in the deal. We had three years to move out – and we knew we wanted to stay in the city.
“I really hope that Moog’s decision to stay in Wolverhampton will encourage other companies to invest in the city. We’re hopeful that a couple of our suppliers will join us on the new business park.”
Moog’s decision to remain in the city has safeguared about 400 jobs. Bell said: “We have a very skilled and talented workforce – we didn’t want to lose that by moving to another city.”
The project on the i54 business park will involve constructing a 190,000 sq ft purpose-built facility - with an additional 50,000 sq ft available for future expansion.
The company’s planning application to South Staffordshire District Council to ask for permission to build the new facility to house design, development and manufacturing activities for aircraft controls is due to be considered on 9 November.
Bell said the company was “very confident” that the plan would be accepted.
Wolverhampton Council leader Neville Patten said: “The exchange of contracts marks a major milestone for the company, this site and indeed the city. It goes some considerable way to sealing Wolverhampton’s reputation as a first class destination for aerospace.”
Birmingham developer Stoford has made the application to build the new facility for Moog, while Birmingham-based Fusion Building Consultancy has been advising Moog.
Photo caption (l-r): Councillor Neville Patten, leader of Wolverhampton Council, Mick Laverty, AWM chief executive, Joseph H Bell, Moog vice president of acquisition integration, councillor Brian Edwards, leader of South Staffordshire District Council.
