Rolls-Royce North America announced completion of a $600 million revamp of its operations centers in Indianapolis on Wednesday, six years after it began.
The investment in new equipment, modernization, and reconfiguration of Rolls-Indianapolis Royce’s manufacturing facilities, according to company executives, is the greatest Rolls-Royce has ever made in the United States.
Remodeling program, which was first announced in 2015, aims to improve productivity at Rolls-Indianapolis Royce’s operations on Tibbs Avenue and West Raymond Street. Officials claim it will boost the company’s competitiveness in the marketplace and put it on track to become carbon-neutral by 2030.
Rolls-Indianapolis Royce’s facilities received new AI technology because of the makeover, and the company’s footprint was reduced from around three million square feet to 1.5 million square feet at the operations centers. Many buildings on Raymond Street, some dating back to World War II, were demolished, and repurposed by the corporation.
About 3,500 people work for the corporation in Indianapolis, and no one was laid off because of the restructuring.
Rolls-Royce produces engines for aircraft and ships, primarily for military customers in the United States. It is currently pursuing a $1 billion contract to build hundreds of engines for US Air Force bombers.
A successful bid would necessitate the construction of 650 engines for the Air Force’s fleet of B-52s, necessitating the installation of a new assembly line at the Tibbs Avenue plant. The aerospace company has also agreed to supply the propulsion system for the V-280 Valor aircraft to Texas-based Bell Textron Inc.
The investment in the modernization program is intended to position Rolls-Royce to compete for and win more contracts.
Rolls-Royce marked the completion of the overhaul with a ceremony attended by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Wednesday afternoon.
The use of artificial intelligence in Rolls-computer Royce’s systems enables the company to produce more precise parts, reducing the possibility of error.
Earlier this month, the company announced plans to expand its presence at Purdue University by building three new high-altitude and hybrid-electric engine testing facilities.
Company recently informed its employees that it is shrinking its footprint in downtown Indianapolis and consolidating its operations into one building on the existing Meridian Center campus, a nod to the hybrid work-from-home/office environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rolls-Royce has several locations in and around Indianapolis, in addition to the downtown campus.
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Mechanical Power, Inc.
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