Work starts on multicoloured 'Dream Factory' as Bentley starts paint shop work under £2.5bn electrification plan

Alistair Houghton

30 April 2024 at 11:03 am·2-min read

CGI of the new Paint Shop at Bentley's Crewe site — How the new Paint Shop at Bentley's Crewe site will look -Credit:Bentley

Carmaker Bentley has started work on a key development at its Cheshire base as it bids to turn the site into a “Dream Factory” as part of its £2.5bn investment in electrification.

Bentley is building a 12,460 sq m paint shop at its Crewe home that will feature a multicoloured facade showing off some of the 100 colours it now offers across its range of luxury vehicles. The development will also include a four storey office building that will be home to more than 370 Bentley staff.

The project is a key part of Bentley’s preparations for electrification as part of its Beyond100 strategy to achieve “end-to-end carbon neutral status by 2030”.

The company said: “This investment transforms an 85 year old site for a new age of electrification and confirms Bentley’s commitment to Crewe.” And it added: “The new facility at Bentley’s carbon neutral headquarters will be integral to the brand’s preparations for future battery-powered electric vehicle production and to set a new benchmark in next generation, digital, flexible and high-value manufacturing operations."

Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s board member for manufacturing, and Jan-Henrik Lafrentz, Bentley’s board member for finance and IT, officially started construction at the paint shop by breaking ground. The building is set to be completed next year.

Mr Lehe said: “Breaking ground on this new state-of-the-art building is a milestone moment and supports our aim for a benchmark position in new innovative technologies, skills and facilities to enable a truly digital, highly-flexible benchmark for luxury car manufacturing.

“While also modernising our site, it is a clear demonstration of our ambition and long-term commitment to Crewe as we transform Bentley into the leader of sustainable luxury mobility.”

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