Airbus and GKN have signed a contract under which GKN will purchase the wing component and assemblies manufacturing unit based at Airbus’ site at Filton, near Bristol, UK. This includes all operational business, assets and activities being transferred to GKN. As a result of the transaction, GKN has committed itself to make further investment in the unit in order that Filton will continue to play its important role in Airbus’ current and future programmes, Airbus said.

The unit is responsible for producing wing components such as the wing leading and trailing edges; outer wingbox assemblies and shroud box; single aisle wing electrical harnesses; ribs and other machined parts; pipe forming, ducting and other detail components.

“This sale is an important element of our restructuring programme Power8. It will provide new opportunities for those involved and will help to strengthen the Filton aerospace site and the region as a whole,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

“For Airbus this decision will allow us to concentrate on our role of being an aircraft architect and integrator. Our remaining wing, landing gear and fuel systems business at Filton is core to this objective.”

The agreement is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to complete by the end of the year. The contract with GKN also includes major Airbus A350 XWB work-packages for the carbon fibre composite, wing fixed trailing edge, which GKN plans to manufacture locally.