Key Points
- Astemo, a leading Japanese automotive technology provider, to invest £100 million in the expansion of its Horwich, Bolton factory.
- The investment follows a Greater Manchester mayoral trade mission to Japan that solidified international business ties.
- Over 220 new or safeguarded high-skilled jobs are expected to result from this expansion.
- Astemo’s Horwich site will construct a new production line for electric vehicle (EV) inverters, making it the only facility in the UK with this capability.
- The deal is backed by the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), securing support at a national level.
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and other regional leaders met Astemo’s executives in Tokyo prior to the announcement, highlighting political support for the investment.
- Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the decision as a “vote of confidence” in the region.
- Bolton Council Leader Nick Peel welcomed the move as transformative for the borough.
- The investment reinforces Greater Manchester’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation.
- Astemo will contribute to the UK’s global competitiveness in zero-emission vehicle supply chains.
- The company, previously known as Hitachi Astemo UK, has a substantial presence in the UK automotive sector dating back to 1997.
Japanese manufacturer Astemo’s £100 million investment to expand its Horwich, Bolton factory marks a decisive moment for the UK’s electric vehicle industry and Greater Manchester’s advanced manufacturing ambitions. The move, driven by recent international trade efforts and government support, is set to create over 220 highly skilled jobs and position the region as a crucial node in Britain’s EV supply chain.
What Details Surround Astemo’s £100 Million Investment in Horwich, Bolton?
As reported by Prolific North, Astemo, a global Japanese automotive manufacturer with a substantial operation in Horwich, Bolton, will pour £100 million into expanding its factory on Aspinall Way, Middlebrook Business Park. The investment was announced in the wake of a mayoral trade mission to Japan, led by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Council Leader Bev Craig, solidifying a growing partnership between the region and Japanese advanced technology firms.
Astemo’s facility, a centre for automotive electronics, will oversee the launch of a state-of-the-art production line dedicated to EV inverters—a component integral to electric vehicles. According to Prolific North, this will make the site the only one in the UK capable of delivering such technology at scale, further anchoring Greater Manchester’s standing within the electric vehicle industry.
How Will This Affect Local Jobs and the Regional Economy?
Prolific North details that Astemo’s commitment is expected to create and safeguard around 220 high-skilled manufacturing jobs, boosting the local jobs market and providing long-term opportunities in advanced manufacturing. The increase in skilled positions is anticipated to revitalise the Horwich and wider Bolton areas, supporting families and strengthening the local economy.
Bolton Council Leader Nick Peel, as quoted by Prolific North, heralded the announcement as:
“Fantastic news for Bolton, which will create hundreds of jobs in Horwich, and ensure a new production line to manufacture inverters for electric vehicles. Pioneering companies like Astemo are investing in their people and technologies for the long-term and making a home in Bolton. Investments like this create a renewed sense of excitement and confidence in the borough that will attract further investment.”
What Role Did Government Policy and International Partnerships Play?
Astemo’s investment enjoys both local and central government backing. The company’s recent success in winning a significant new contract is tied to the UK Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), designed to support international investment in zero-emission vehicle supply chains.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, as cited in Prolific North, described the significance:
“Astemo investing over £100 million into its UK site is a huge win for Bolton and Greater Manchester and a vote of confidence in our Plan for Change. It will create and safeguard more than 200 jobs, putting more money in local people’s pockets… We’re helping British auto manufacturers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive zero-emission vehicle supply chain in the UK.”
Regional leaders were active in securing this investment. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Councillor Bev Craig met with Mathieu Devillard, Executive Officer at Astemo, in Tokyo, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the company’s growth in the city region. Burnham, as reported by Prolific North, stated:
“This investment by Astemo is a huge vote of confidence in Bolton and Greater Manchester. It puts our city-region at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, creating high-quality, long-term jobs and opportunities in our advanced manufacturing sector… During our recent trade mission to Japan, Bev Craig and I had the opportunity to meet with Astemo. Their long-term commitment to Greater Manchester was clear and they will have our full backing as they look to grow over the coming years.”
Why Did Astemo Choose Bolton for Its Expansion?
Astemo’s decision highlights Greater Manchester’s competitive position as a centre for foreign direct investment outside of London. The region has cultivated a vibrant atmosphere for high-tech and sustainable growth, as reflected in Mayor Burnham’s remarks:
“We are proud that our international engagement has made Greater Manchester the number one UK destination for foreign direct investment outside London. Japanese companies like Astemo have found a genuine partner in our city-region and our growing reputation for innovation is increasingly making us the natural choice for international businesses who want to grow.”
Astemo UK, Ltd., registered at Middlebrook Business Park, Aspinall Way, Horwich, Bolton, has a long-standing UK base, originally incorporated in 1997 and previously trading under the names Hitachi Astemo UK and Hitachi Automotive Systems UK Ltd. This legacy, coupled with a strong support network from local and national bodies, positioned Bolton as the ideal choice for the company’s European EV investment.
What Is Astemo’s Broader Strategic Vision?
Astemo, formed in 2021 from the merger of Hitachi Automotive Systems with three other leading Japanese suppliers, aims to be a global powerhouse for both battery-electric and internal-combustion vehicle components. According to Wards Auto, Tim Clark, CEO and president of Hitachi Astemo Americas, explained that the investment aligns with Astemo's vision to specialise in Advanced Sustainable Technologies for Mobility—a mission which includes advanced R&D and a focus on sustainability.
Astemo’s expansion plans globally have included similar investments in the United States, notably a $100 million expansion in Berea, Kentucky, aimed at scaling BEV-related business, highlighting a considered and ambitious approach to sustainable automotive innovation.
How Does This Reflect the UK’s Position in Automotive Innovation?
The expansion of Astemo’s facility further underpins Greater Manchester, and the wider UK, as an emerging leader in advanced manufacturing and EV supply chain solutions. The presence of a sole UK production line for EV inverters will attract further international investment and R&D, creating a ripple effect throughout the automotive and engineering sectors.
As the industry undergoes a historic transformation towards zero-emission vehicles, the UK government and regional authorities are intent on ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of automotive technology. Astemo’s expansion fits this narrative, bolstering Britain's status as a lucrative destination for sustainable automotive initiatives and advanced technology partnerships.
What Have Other Stakeholders Said?
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, welcomed the commitment from Astemo, emphasising how international collaboration is directly leading to job creation and long-term stability for the local workforce (as reported by Prolific North).
Local economic agencies such as MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, were also instrumental in facilitating discussions with Astemo, further demonstrating the joined-up approach across government and business sectors to secure strategic investments.
What Is the Next Step for Astemo and Greater Manchester?
With the investment now confirmed, construction of the new production line at Horwich is expected to commence promptly in line with Astemo’s operational timelines. The next phase includes recruitment for the new roles, upskilling of existing staff, and the installation of cutting-edge equipment that will enable mass production for leading EV manufacturers.
In the coming years, Astemo’s growth in the UK is expected to be closely monitored as an indicator of the country’s competitiveness in the global race towards electrification, advanced vehicle systems, and sustainable manufacturing.
This landmark investment not only secures a bright future for hundreds of families in the Bolton area but decisively anchors the UK within a new era of automotive innovation and sustainable industry transformation. Both local and national leaders hailed Astemo’s commitment as proof that international co-operation and regional resilience can deliver jobs, progress, and technological prowess for communities across Britain.