Yeovil is now the 'Home of British Helicopters'
A special event is taking place later today in Somerset
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
Yeovil will be formally named as the Home of British Helicopters at a special ceremony later today.
The event will focus on 'Yeovil’s significance in UK aerospace past, present, and future' says owner Leonardo - with a number of keynote speakers including Leonardo UK’s CEO and Chair, Clive Higgins, and Leonardo’s MD of Helicopters UK, Adam Clarke.
The Italian owned Somerset site - the only one its kind in the UK - employs close to 3,000 workers and regularly bids fights for large Government contracts against the likes of other industry giants such as Airbus. It is currently bidding for the New Medium Helicopter contract with the British armed forces.
In one of its last actions before being abolished, South Somerset District Council approved a request by Leonardo to install new signs on three of the main roads leading into the town - saying 'Home of British Helicopters' to highlight Yeovil’s contribution to defence and manufacturing.
Speaking recently, Leonardo Helicopters managing director Gian Piero Cutillo was quoted saying he believes the company’s UK site in Yeovil will remain a “centre of excellence” - despite expansion elsewhere.
A spokesperson for Leonardo said: "Leonardo’s Yeovil site is the Home of British Helicopters, having established world-class manufacturing capability over the past century, since the Westland Aircraft Works was established in 1915.
"During this time, more than 3,300 helicopters have been delivered. The site was built in order to build aircraft to support the First World War effort.
"The first aircraft built at the Works was a Short 184 seaplane, which left on 1 January 1916, by horse and cart.
"The fourth ever aircraft built at Westland took part in the Battle of Jutland, piloted by Frederick Rutland from Weymouth, or ‘Rutland of Jutland’ as he became known.
"Today, Leonardo Helicopters is based in Yeovil, with nearly 2,800 employees producing helicopters on site such as the Super Lynx 300, AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin."
For more about the Yeovil helicopter making facility click here