Greater Manchester Lands £100 Million Investment as Astemo Expands UK EV Footprint

Image Credit: Astemo

Hundreds of new jobs are set to be created in Greater Manchester following a significant investment announcement by a Japanese manufacturing giant. Astemo, a global automotive components supplier headquartered in Tokyo, has announced plans to invest £100 million in its facility in Horwich.

The funding will be used to expand operations at the company’s factory located near Mansell Way. As part of the expansion, Astemo intends to establish a new production line dedicated to building inverters for electric vehicles. This development is expected to generate 220 high-skilled roles, providing a significant boost to the local economy and the region’s rapidly growing electric vehicle supply chain.

Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “This is fantastic news for Bolton, which will create hundreds of jobs in Horwich, and ensure a new production line to manufacture inverters for electric vehicles.

“Pioneering companies like Astemo are investing in their people and technologies for the long term and making a home in Bolton.

“Investments like this create a renewed sense of excitement and confidence in the borough that will attract further investment.”

Once completed, the Horwich site will become the only facility in the United Kingdom capable of manufacturing inverters at this scale. This positions Astemo as a critical player in the UK’s push toward cleaner transportation and industrial innovation.

The UK Government is supporting the investment through the Automotive Transformation Fund, a scheme designed to accelerate the shift to net zero by supporting key technologies and infrastructure within the automotive sector.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “This investment by Astemo is a huge vote of confidence in Bolton and Greater Manchester.

“It puts our city-region at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, creating high-quality, long-term jobs and opportunities in our advanced manufacturing sector.

“During our recent trade mission to Japan, Bev Craig (Manchester City Council leader) and I had the opportunity to meet with Astemo.

“Their long-term commitment to Greater Manchester was clear, and they will have our full backing as they look to grow over the coming years.

“We are proud that our international engagement has made Greater Manchester the number one UK destination for foreign direct investment outside London.

“Japanese companies like Astemo have found a genuine partner in our city region, and our growing reputation for innovation is increasingly making us the natural choice for international businesses who want to grow.”

Senior regional leaders have welcomed the announcement. Mayor Andy Burnham and Councillor Martyn Cox recently travelled to Tokyo to meet with Astemo executive officer Mathieu Devillard. During the meeting, they discussed the impact of the investment and expressed their commitment to supporting the project’s success.

The delegation also included representatives from MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, who played a crucial role in securing the deal. Their involvement underscores the strategic importance of the project not just for Greater Manchester but for the UK’s broader industrial ambitions in the electric mobility sector.

MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, managing director Joe Manning said: “This substantial investment from Astemo creates real opportunities for our city-region.

"With more than £100M in confirmed investment supporting 220 jobs, we're seeing the tangible benefits of our international partnerships, with Astemo being a prime example of this.  

“MIDAS has worked closely with Astemo for several years, and it’s fantastic to see the results with an investment of this scale.   

“We look ahead to building on the momentum created through this investment.”