US Aerospace company lands in Derby

Marketing Derby is pleased to welcome the arrival of Florida-based aerospace company FTT (Florida Turbine Technologies) into the city, a move secured by the proactive work of its inward investment team with the support of colleagues across the city.

FTT specialise in engineering, developing and testing of turbines and other components for military and commercial aircraft, space propulsion and other industries including power stations.

FTT (UK) Ltd already has nine people at its Derby base. This number is set to increase over the next 12 months and could easily match the growth of their recent investment in Brandenburg, Germany where FTT’s headcount reached around 25 within just three years of setting up a base.

The company has taken leased offices in Sadler Bridge Studios, Derby City Council’s new £4.4m purpose-designed facility aimed at innovative businesses like FTT, as part of the wider £14.2m Derby Connect project. Their move has been supported by a £165,440 grant from the £20 million Derby Enterprise Growth Fund, run by Derby City Council to support growth and job creation for businesses in the city and surrounding area.

FTT Chief Engineer Robert Ress said “Derby is the perfect place to establish and expand our UK operations. We looked at various locations in the UK and the support we have received from Marketing Derby and Derby City Council was a crucial factor in our decision to come to the city. We were also keen to tap into the local engineering skills base and to work with the University of Derby to be involved in their work to develop new advanced manufacturing technologies”.

John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby commented “FTT were considering various locations in the UK but were drawn to Derby thanks to the high-tech credentials of the city, the quality of life here and the support that the Connect Derby team were prepared to make”.