Royal Enfield to open British 'technology centre'
Indian-based firm to open Leicestershire operation by end of 2015
ROYAL Enfield is to open a new 'technology centre' in Leicestershire as part of plans to increase global production of its motorcycles by 50%.
The Indian-based company aims to spend 5bn Indian rupees (£52m) on expansion plans, including a new operation in the UK by the end of 2015.
A second new operation is to open in Chennai, southern India, by the middle of 2016.
The move was announced by the firm's Chief Executive, Siddhartha Lal, as part of plans to increase production from 300,000 to 450,000 units a year.
According to MotoGB, Royal Enfield's UK importer, the Leicestershire operation will be a 'research and development facility'.
The marque has its origins in Britain, with motorcycles produced in England from 1901 until 1970, including the Bullet, derivatives of which are still made under licence in India.
The marque lays claim to being the world's oldest continuously manufactured motorcycle brand.
Siddhartha Lal said: ‘Royal Enfield continues to grow at a phenomenal pace and this year we have achieved our best ever sales of over 300,000 units. In 2015, we plan to manufacture 450,000 units.
'With a view to become the leader in the global mid-sized motorcycling, Royal Enfield will build two new technology centers. The larger one will be at a new 4.5 acre property that we have acquired on Old Mahabalipuram Road in Chennai, and will be operational by Q2 2016; a smaller satellite center is being set up in Leicestershire, UK, and will be operational by the end of 2015.'
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