AN AEROSPACE company has announced an early piece of good news for Wrexham’s economy in 2011 with plans for a massive investment worth more than £2 million.

Magellan is proposing an extension to its plant based at Llay.

Operations manager Adrian Young said the expansion plans would help to safeguard current jobs.

At present more than 300 people work at the site.

In addition the company is hopeful of being able to increase its workforce, although at this early stage it could not give a firm undertaking or say how many new jobs might be created.

“We are currently building a small extension to our facility, primarily for storage and to provide a noise reduction barrier to residents,” said Mr Young.

“However during 2011 we plan to look at a further extension to provide additional manufacturing space to support the increase in production on the Airbus A350 expected in 2013 and other future programs.”

Mr Young said the construction cost of the two extensions would be around £750,000.

In addition, if the second extension goes ahead – a planning application is currently being made to Wrexham Council – it would involve the purchase of equipment worth around two million Euros for the factory.

“We are excited about our plans to grow at a time when the business climate is tough,” said Mr Young.

“Magellan Aerospace has maintained and continues to provide an apprenticeship programme, as well as supporting the trade union Unite to open a learning centre at Magellan Wrexham for all employees to help support our development in the future.

“Magellan continues to seek opportunities to develop our business and provide long term employment opportunities in the region.”

In July last year the Leader reported Magellan Aerospace secured a deal with Airbus to create parts for the new A350 airliner.

The agreement meant Magellan would make a number of complex machined aluminium detail components, expected to generate more than £40 million over 10 years.