JLR commits extra £1 billion to UK suppliers; creates 300 jobs

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has decided to spend an additional £1 billion with UK suppliers over the next four years amid continued global demand for the Range Rover Evoque.

With more than 60,000 units sold worldwide and with a healthy order book, 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. These suppliers provide components, facilities and services to support the Range Rover Evoque production line at Halewood on Merseyside.

JLR also confirmed that a new logistics facility in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, will open this summer to support the global sales success of both the Range Rover 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 JLR’s Halewood plant, creating around 300 new jobs.

Ralf Speth, CEO Jaguar Land Rover, said "Today's announcements demonstrate JLR's 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.  Our commitment to the North West will also be enhanced with the new logistics facility and this will support the future success of both our Freelander 2 and Range Rover Evoque models."