The announcement was made during biennial defence industry exhibition, DVD2024 which is being held at UTAC Millbrook, Bedfordshire from 18th-19th September.
At its new 7.9-acre site, the manufacturer will focus on the production of protected patrol vehicles, in line with UK MOD requirements and for export to key international markets. To support this strategy, the business is set to create up to 150 skilled roles at the site across a range of areas, including engineering, factory management, training, simulation and aftersales. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
NMS UK’s new manufacturing hub will help to support the resilience of the UK defence industry’s supply chain for protected patrol vehicles, ensuring that valuable intellectual property is retained in the UK.
The West Midlands is home to the largest manufacturing cluster of any UK city region, with its 300,000-strong manufacturing workforce accounting for 11.2% of all local employment. This is well above the national average of 7.6%. Invest Coventry & Warwickshire has been working to support NMS UK by shortlisting suitable sites and will be working with the company through Warwickshire Skills Hub and Coventry Jobs Shop to help with recruitment and upskilling.
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the region’s official investment promotion agency – along with the Department for Business and Trade supported NMS UK’s investment by facilitating introductions to relevant stakeholders, including suppliers and the region’s world-class universities. WMGC also provided the business with ongoing communications consultancy and invitations to relevant events to support with raising its profile within the industry and local marketplace.
David Zevulun, UK Country Director at NMS UK, said: “Offering businesses world-class R&D assets, a diverse supply chain and access to funding on their doorstep, we didn’t have to think twice about choosing the West Midlands for our new manufacturing facility.
“Our new home in Leamington Spa is key to our ambition to become an integral part of the British defence industry ecosystem, supporting a robust pipeline of UK-made armoured vehicles. We look forward to this exciting new chapter in NMS UK’s growth story.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I want to make the West Midlands the best place in the UK to do business and this investment by NMS shows why our region continues to be the beating heart of UK advanced manufacturing and exporting. It will also mean 150 highly skilled jobs for local people. I will continue to work with our universities and training companies and through my Youth Plan to make sure our young people have the skills they need to secure these sorts of jobs and get the best start possible to their careers.”
Cllr Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said:
“We welcome this latest investment from NMS UK Ltd, bringing with it another OEM vehicle maker to the area, and the benefits this brings in terms of supply chain opportunity and resilience.
“Warwickshire, Coventry and the wider West Midlands remains a major centre for vehicle design, testing, development and manufacture, and we look forward to working with David and his team to support the business as it scales up in the coming months and years”.
Cllr Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy at Warwick District Council, said: "We welcome David and his new team into their new site in Leamington. The company will be employing a range of skills, including young people, for whom apprenticeships will also be on offer. Manufacturing can provide a range of opportunities and provide skill development, and we welcome its continuation on this site at Tachbrook".
