Unfazed by Brexit, Sir James Dyson pushes expansion plans
01 Mar 2017
Dyson Technologies has unveiled plans to expand its UK research and development centre 10-fold.
Sir James Dyson who had already invested £250 million in the company's global base in Malmesbury, Wiltshire had acquired a nearby World War II airfield and planned to develop it into a new technical centre.
The rapid expansion of the company, known for its bag-less vacuum cleaners and blade-less fans had necessitated the purchase of the 517-acre RAF Hullavington.
Dyson, with annual sales of about £1.7 billion, makes profits of about £450 million.
The company which counted fewer than 900 scientists, engineers and support staff five years ago at Malmesbury, now had 3,500 and expected the rate of expansion to continue in the UK.
''We've run out of space here but we will keep on developing technology and products in Britain irrespective of Brexit,'' he said, The Telegraph reported.
''This is a vote of confidence in Britain and Brexit is just a sideshow: currency movements, corporate tax and tax relief on inventions are much more important. Europe is just 16pc of our market and declining as we do more business with fast-growing markets.''
Dyson whose fortune has been estimated at £3 billion, added, ''Britain is a great place to develop new technology and products - why wouldn't we be here?''
According to Dyson, in addition to research on robotics, battery cells, vision systems, machine learning, and AI, the sheer amount space of Hullavington meant manufacturing could be undertaken there if the company wanted.
''A lack of space was what prompted us to move manufacturing abroad when we were refused planning permission,'' the entrepreneur said. ''This time round we have the space and the supportive local council and government to manufacture here if we want.''
UK Prime Minister, Theresa May said, ''This investment is a vote of confidence in our modern industrial strategy and our determination to cement the UK's position as a world leader in high-tech engineering.
''Dyson's exporting strength and commitment to creating jobs in Britain is a real success story that demonstrates the opportunity that our plan to create a truly global Britain can present.''
