US firm’s expansion will help to engineer 130 jobs in Yorkshire

Borg Warner is set to provide its turbocharging technologies to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as part of a deal supporting the car company’s new engine-manufacturing centre near Wolverhampton. The jobs will be based in a new engineering centre next to Borg Warner’s existing factory on Roysdale Way, Bradford, where production lines will also be expanded.

An extended collaboration with the University of Huddersfield has also been announced, which will see a new master’s degree programme in turbocharger engineering established.

Borg Warner Turbo Systems’ president and general manager, Frederic Lissalde, said: “With our investment in local production and testing, Borg Warner will provide JLR with fast-to-market, high-quality advanced technologies adapted to their specific needs.

“Borg Warner’s investment in innovation will also help support the local economy with highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs, and our increased collaboration with the university will help develop the talent needed to drive turbocharging advancements for the future.”

The new centre is being created using a grant awarded through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, which supports projects including private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment in England.

The 130 new roles at Borg Warner will include every level from apprentices to experienced engineers.

JLR purchasing director Ian Harnett said: “This contract is a great example of how we want to work in partnership with our supply chain to develop innovative solutions to support future growth.

“We are delighted that this contract will not only create high- value manufacturing and engineering jobs in West Yorkshire but will support Borg Warner’s collaboration with the University of Huddersfield. This will ultimately help the UK become even more competitive as it is investment in innovation that will make the difference to the growth in the UK economy.”

Since 2011, Borg Warner has been collaborating with the University of Huddersfield on its Knowledge Transfer Partnership to research improvements in materials for turbocharger housings.

The new master’s degree program in turbocharger engineering will offer students the opportunity to specialise in an advanced technology to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.