Britain's oldest motor cycle maker shifts into top gear with massive cash injection

Britain's once near-extinct motor cycle industry was given a multi-million dollar thrust Tuesday when Chancellor George Osborne kick started a global drive for one of the world's oldest companies which dates back to 1898.

The chancellor visited the factory in England's Midlands region, where the world-famous Norton Motorcycles are hand-built, to announce an 11.7 million U.S. dollar project, more than half coming from government funding. The investment will support new jobs and apprenticeships in what Osborne described as a major boost to British motorcycle manufacturing.

The funds will allow the iconic British brand to set up a new British Motorcycle Manufacturing Academy (BMMA) to train and supply the next generation of engineering apprentices for Norton and its supply chain partners.

The cash injection will also enable Norton to develop new clean motorcycle engine technology in Britain to power a new green motorcycle within two years.

Norton Motorcycles expects its labor force to grow to 600 direct and indirect jobs - including 200 apprentices - over five years.

A spokesman for Norton said Tuesday: "This investment will secure the long term future of UK motorcycle manufacturing within Norton and its supply chain partners, re-shoring skills lost to UK manufacturing and helping them meet increasing global demand."

Chancellor Osborne said: "Our long term economic plan is all about backing successful British brands like Norton. Their decision to create new jobs and investment in the next generation of manufacturing engineers is great news and a vote of confidence in the UK."

Norton Motorcycle Chief Executive, Stuart Garner said: "Norton is an iconic British brand revered around the world. We've worked steadfastly in the last six years to bring Norton back with an authentic British built motorcycle. Putting down a dedicated Academy for the British motorcycle industry finally gives us a sustainable future.

"To see solid government support for the manufacturing industry like this is hugely heart-warming and gives us great confidence in bringing the industry back to the UK, creating jobs, learning forgotten skills and enabling exports around the world - all in the full knowledge that we have great support and a solid base back home."

In the 1970s the arrival of Japanese motor cycles saw Norton, alongside other great British marques, driven to the brink of extinction. Today Norton has a full order book, with 80 percent of its motor cycles exported around the world to over 20 territories. Even Japan, the country that almost made Norton extinct, now has a Norton dealership. Endit