£300 Million Investment to Create Europe’s Most Advanced Independent Transport Technology Facility
MIRA, the international vehicle engineering and test business headquartered in the UK, has announced its intention to become a £100million business within the next ten years – marking the single biggest moment in the British engineering company’s history and coinciding with its 65th Anniversary.
The business’ growth would also see MIRA become the most advanced independent transport technology facility in Europe through a future-focused business plan, which includes a £300 million investment in new infrastructure at its Midlands base.
Commenting on the business’ desire to evolve, CEO George Gillespie said:
“MIRA is a fantastic opportunity for the UK. We have the capability to take the lead in emerging technologies, such as low carbon vehicles and intelligent mobility, that are becoming desirable throughout the world and to attract international companies looking for advanced engineering expertise and facilities.
“2010 was a record year for MIRA with turnover up 30 per cent to £37million. We have therefore chosen to act now in order to capitalise on the increasing demand for high value-added engineering services and grow turnover by a further 100 per cent over the next five years.”
MIRA underwent a re-brand in January, creating a fresh visual identity for the business ahead of a marketing drive to support its growth, and has a new management team with a business development focus. In addition, MIRA is seeking to grow its international business from 18 to 45 per cent by focusing on its overseas operations in: Europe, China, India, Malaysia, Korea and Taiwan as well as untapped markets with growth potential such as Brazil.
Among the technologies that MIRA anticipates will help fuel its rapid growth are unmanned ground vehicles and low carbon vehicles – both fields in which MIRA has significant expertise. MIRA is also at the forefront of pioneering new technologies including intelligent transport systems that are becoming highly sought after both at home and abroad.
Central to MIRA’s long-term plan is the £300million re-development of its 850 acre site in the Midlands – which will ensure the business has the capacity to match its capability over the next 30 years.
CEO George Gillespie added:
“We are planning a 43,000sqm state-of-the-art Engineering Centre that will provide modern, environmentally sustainable office space and incorporate the latest low carbon building design and construction techniques as well as utilising renewable energy sources.
“This will become the hub of a 155,000sqm campus incorporating advanced engineering facilities and a new Technology Park to complement the existing one, which has now reached capacity, and is capable of attracting like-minded domestic and international businesses looking for a prime R&D location with ready access to MIRA’s engineering expertise and resources.”
In 2010 MIRA recruited 70 new staff and its continued growth in the UK alone is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs directly over a ten year period. There is also significant potential for job creation throughout the supply chain and an apprenticeship scheme, designed to nurture engineering skills at a grass roots level, is planned in partnership with a local higher education provider.
MIRA was formerly known as The Motor Industry Research Association and has been synonymous with automotive testing since its creation by the UK Government in 1946. However, engineering consultancy now represents the majority of MIRA’s business – providing design engineering, computer simulation, test development, validation and certification services to customers spanning not just the automotive sector but also defence, aerospace and rail.
