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Rolls-Royce Ltd, the major customer of Lucas Aerospace’s Burnley factories, sounded an ominous warning at a “celebration” this week. Company manufacturing director Mr Trevor Salt was at the Bancroft Road factory to officially receive the 1,000th thrust reverser for the RB 211 engine, produced by the local workers.
At the end of his speech came the heart of the message “I like your quality; I like your delivery performance. Now let’s try and get the cost down!”. Previously director and general manager of the Fabrications division Mr Geoff Coop had spoken about Lucas Aerospace’s lengthy period of co-operation with Rolls. He said that it had been in 1968 when the first agreement had been signed for the production of the reverser and the resulting order was arguably the most important the group had ever gained.
Afterwards a team of 12 designers had gone from Lucas to ensure that the project developed smoothly. As a result, the local factories had been expanded, particularly at Hargher Clough, where an 80,000 sq. ft. extension had been necessary. Mr Coop pointed out that the programme had been delayed by the near bankruptcy of Rolls, but had been ultimately so successful that now six million flying hours had been completed by the engine without problems.