JLR to spend additional £1 bn on UK suppliers, create 300 jobs

Tata Motors-owned British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will invest an additional £1 billion (Rs8,500 crore) in sourcing parts from UK-based suppliers for its latest sports utility vehicle Range Rover Evoque over the next four years.

JLR will also create 300 jobs at its plant in Merseyside by opening a new logistics facility in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, in order to meet with the increased demand for the Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2.

JLR's logistics provider, DHL, will manage this purpose-built automotive logistics site to enhance its existing operations at its Halewood plant.

''JLR has increased the value of UK supply contracts by £1 billion, in addition to the £2-billion supply contracts it awarded to more than 40 UK suppliers in March 2011,'' the Gaydon, Warwickshire-based carmaker said in a statement.

Dr Ralf Speth, CEO Jaguar Land Rover, said "Today's announcements demonstrate JLR's strong products and clear ambition for continued growth. The demand we have seen across the globe for the Range Rover Evoque means we are able to significantly increase what we spend with our suppliers, which is great news for the UK economy, and the thousands of jobs JLR supports in its supply chain. "

Paul Dyer, managing director of DHL Supply Chain's automotive services in the UK and Ireland, said, "We are delighted to continue our support for JLR's ever-growing expansion plans. As the UK's North West region is fast becoming a major supply chain hub for the automotive industry, this new facility will greatly enhance the next stage of the company's development and future success."