North East space centre reaches construction milestone
08 Apr 2026Topping out ceremony marks pivotal moment for NESST, which is set to transform the region's space economy.
13th Apr 2026
Secretary of State visits Agratas battery manufacturing site
Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP toured the steel framework and spoke with our apprentices working at Building One
On 9 April, Agratas welcomed the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, to its battery manufacturing site in Somerset.
During the visit, the Business Secretary toured the steel framework that forms the backbone of Building One, which is now structurally complete.
We are the official delivery partner for Building One, which has been constructed using 100% British steel. The completion of the frame marks a major milestone in the programme, with cladding works now underway to form the building envelope.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the Business Secretary to meet and chat with our apprentices working on site, hearing first-hand about their experiences on this nationally significant advanced manufacturing project and the skills being developed as part of its delivery.
The visit coincided with the announcement of significant UK Government investment into the advanced manufacturing sector, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to supporting high value, high skilled industries and strengthening the UK’s long term industrial resilience.
More than 4,000 jobs have already been secured through over £700 million of UK Government investment. Of this, £380 million has been allocated to support the construction of the Somerset facility and the procurement of specialist manufacturing equipment for battery cell production.
Construction at the site continues to progress at pace. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate approximately £43 billion in economic value over a 25 year period. In addition to creating more than 4,000 direct jobs, the development will support thousands more roles across the supply chain and help establish the UK as a global hub for battery manufacturing.
We are proud to be Agratas’ official delivery partner for Building One. This project brings together UK manufacturing capability, engineering excellence and skills development at scale. It was particularly rewarding to see the Business Secretary engage with our apprentices on site, who are gaining invaluable experience while helping to deliver a project that will play a critical role in the UK’s advanced manufacturing and net zero ambitions.
Craig Allen, Sector Managing Director, Industrial, Sir Robert McAlpine
Earl Wiggins, Vice President for Manufacturing Operations at Agratas UK, said: “We welcome the UK Government’s investment as we build a battery manufacturing facility that will play a vital role in delivering net zero and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing.
"This funding will support the development of our Somerset facility, enabling us to produce battery cells for our anchor customer, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). Over the next year we will have over 2,200 people working on the site, and that growth will continue over the coming years.”
Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, added: “This government is backing the industries of the future by investing in auto firms, SMEs and battery manufacturers across the country – helping to boost economic growth and our resilience, secure jobs and put more money in people's pockets.
"In an unstable world, our Modern Industrial Strategy is providing investors the stability and confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond. That is what sets us apart from the rest, and will help ensure advanced manufacturing remains a thriving sector in the UK for decades to come.”
Latest news
-
![]()
Read more about -
![]()
Read more aboutCelebrating the 125th anniversary of WHR's Mallaig extension
01 Apr 2026The extension opened on 1st April 1901 and contains a series of major viaducts, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct
-
![]()
Read more aboutAgratas celebrates milestone with topping out
26 Mar 2026The team gathered to celebrate a topping out ceremony following steels completion in late January
