Prodrive has today been handed the keys to its new headquarters in Banbury, UK.  The British motorsport and advanced technology business has already begun relocating to its new 110,000 sq ft facility alongside the M40 motorway and has started manufacturing its first parts. 

The headquarters will be home to both its Motorsport business, which runs the Aston Martin Racing team as well as the MINI and VW Golf in rallying, and its Advanced Technology division, which works with businesses in the automotive, aerospace, defence and marine sectors.  In the new facility, race and rally cars will be built alongside advanced active aero systems for super cars, centre console modules for luxury cars and the latest control systems for electric vehicles.

“This is the beginning of a new era for the company,” said David Richards, Prodrive chairman.  “For the first time all our motorsport, advanced technology and manufacturing operations will be under one roof in a modern purpose-built facility.  This will enable us to operate far more efficiently and to increase the collaboration and technology transfer between our businesses.”

In the last 30 years Prodrive has transformed from a motorsport team running Porsche rally cars to an international technology business employing more than 500 people where the majority of the company’s £50 million turnover is generated by non-motorsport activities.

The new facility is Prodrive’s third headquarters having originally been based at Silverstone in 1984, before moving to Banbury in 1986. 

“Banbury is very much Prodrive’s home. Our former site became a landmark for motorists travelling between London and Birmingham on the M40 motorway and I am sure that our new headquarters will continue this tradition,” said Richards.