N3 Engine Overhaul Services (N3), the collaborative venture between Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce, specialising in the overhaul and repair of Rolls-Royce Trent aircraft engines, is undergoing a significant expansion of its facility at the Erfurter Kreuz in Germany. Over the next two years, the complex will witness the construction of new factory areas, extensions to existing buildings, procurement of machinery and equipment and the implementation of new, flexible working methods in office spaces. Furthermore, the workforce will grow from the current 900 to 1,200 skilled workers.
Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce, the parent companies, are jointly investing approximately €150 million (£129 million) into the site. The State Development Corporation of Thuringia, the Ministry of Economics and local authorities from the city of Arnstadt and the Ilm district are supporting the expansion. This endeavour aims to solidify N3’s position as a crucial European hub in Rolls-Royce’s global maintenance network for aircraft engines and generate hundreds of new job opportunities.
The company’s capacity will be scaled up to overhaul 250 engines annually, compared to the current capability of servicing around 160 engines, with 900 employees. N3 is expected to overhaul around 140 engines in 2023, with projections rising to almost 200 by 2024. To navigate the expansion challenge seamlessly, Behrens mentions the establishment of a dedicated project organization with around 50 internal and external experts.
Markus Siptroth the previous Production Manager at N3 now overseeing the entire project, emphasised the importance of close coordination with local authorities and institutions for swift project realisation. The groundwork for the expansion project commenced in November, including the expansion of the car park for the existing workforce.
Actual construction is slated to begin in early 2024, starting with the expansion of the cleaning line for engine components and the extension of the factory hall. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new logistics campus, featuring a high-bay warehouse and delivery centre, is scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. Simultaneously, the canteen will undergo expansion and office areas will undergo remodelling.
