Siemens Healthineers has announced the start of construction of a new facility at Symmetry Park in North Oxfordshire, UK.
The new facility is intended to design and manufacture superconducting magnets for MRI scanners.
Tritax Symmetry has commenced development on the 56,000m2 site, with Winvic Construction appointed as the principal contractor.
The investment of £250m ($318.56m) will establish what is said to be UK's first major production site for DryCool technology, which reduces helium usage in MRI machines.
This technology will enable the production of lighter, easier to install MRI scanners.
Siemens Healthineers chief executive Bernd Montag said: “MRI technology plays a vital role in diagnosing disease, helping patients to get healthy and stay healthy. As a world leader in medical imaging, we are very proud to open the next chapter of our history here in Oxford.”
With the implementation of manufacturing automation technology, Siemens Healthineers aims to meet the increasing global demand for MRI products.
Additionally, the new factory will house a research and development hub focused on creating new technologies.
It will also be responsible for the designing and manufacturing of what is said to be the world’s smallest and most lightweight whole-body scanners.
As one of six Siemens Healthineers manufacturing sites in the UK, this new facility will enhance the company's high-tech presence in the region.
The facility is set to be operationally carbon-neutral and is expected to offer financial, infrastructure, and environmental benefits to the local economy upon its planned opening in 2026.
Tritax Symmetry director Tom Leeming said: “We are extremely proud to be delivering this best in class, highly-sustainable production facility for Siemens Healthineers, a facility which will provide the optimum environment for our client to undertake their ground-breaking work.
“We are delighted that this project has been recognised on a national level with the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s visit to the site today.”
The site is projected to support more than 1,300 jobs when fully operational, safeguarding more than 600 existing jobs at Siemens Healthineers' current facility in Eynsham, Oxfordshire.
The transition to the new site is expected to be completed by 2030.
In March, Winvic commenced work on a multimillion pound upgrade of iPort Rail terminal near Doncaster.
