Ariel to double production capacity with new UK factory

Ariel will build a factory close to its current Somerset base as it moves to expand its operations. The new factory will be located to the east of Crewkerne – just off the A303 – on a 43-acre site that was recently acquired by the Atom maker after five years of negotiation. The building is expected to open within the next three years at a cost of “a few million”, according to Ariel boss Simon Saunders. He added that build costs have risen rapidly since the idea of a new factory was first floated so the company may need to seek outside funding. Various preliminary designs have already been completed, such as the picture below, and all follow the same brief: to create a building that isn’t ordinary, said Saunders. “We don’t want to move to an ordinary industrial unit,” he said. “We want to move to an interesting building. “While we’ve been waiting to do the land deal, we’ve investigated quite a few styles – circular buildings that might work well for production efficiency, or others whose design is reminiscent of old farm buildings you already find in this area. “We need space for what we do now, plus a museum, a showroom and a design office. And it’s got to be efficient.” The new site being near to the existing factory means the company will be able to keep its existing, highly trained workforce, while also expanding it to some 60 people. Capacity, too, will almost double from today’s 80 units per year to around 150. As well as housing an expanded manufacturing operation, the new complex will have a showroom, a spacious service and spares operation, longterm parts storage, a museum (Ariel’s history goes back to the penny-farthing bicycle) and office space for design and administration. Ariel is also determined to put environmental efficiency at the heart of its new works, said Saunders. For example, its reorganised manufacturing operation will be capable of carbon capture; the roof will gather solar energy via photovoltaic cells; water will come from a borehole; and there is a plan to plant 8000 trees on the site. Saunders said: “We’re trying to build ZEV cars, so why not have ZEV buildings? We’re pretty keen on all that.” Ariel, which started out in a tiny studio in Saunders’ own home outside Crewkerne, moved to its current Crewkerne site in 2007. That facility has been expanded several times but because Ariel handles much more than just manufacturing – advanced design as well as spares, servicing, repairs and used car sales – it has been constrained on space for years. “We’re right at maximum capacity,” said Saunders. “We’ve taken to using outside storage units, which kills me. I’d far rather have everything in one place.”