Sponsored content from Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Where are they now: Rolls-Royce

Presented by: Indiana Economic Development Corporation

For More Information

WHY INDIANA?

The heart of Rolls-Royce’s global defense manufacturing is based in Indianapolis, where it makes more of its high-tech power and propulsion systems than anywhere else in the world.

The company planted its flag in Indianapolis in 1995 with the purchase of Allison Engine Co., where approximately 3,500 of the company’s 5,500 U.S. employees are based.

“Indiana is one of the best investments we’ve ever made,” said Andrew Baker, vice president of government relations for Rolls-Royce in North America. Baker said the state of Indiana and city of Indianapolis have played a big role in the company’s success here. “They’ve all stood with us and supported us in a true partnership,” Baker said. “This is why we love it in Indiana. It’s a true team.”

Rolls-Royce also loves the talent generated by the world-class engineering program at Purdue University in West Lafayette. Baker estimated that about 700 Purdue grads are part of its Indiana workforce.

Purdue engineers give Rolls-Royce a competitive edge as it competes to bring U.S. defense contracts to its 1.5-million-square-foot Indianapolis manufacturing, assembly and testing campus.

Its vertically integrated Indy operation has won two major defense contracts in the last three years. One of them, the military’s B-52 commercial engine replacement program, will result in more than 650 engines being built in Indianapolis. The other, producing the propulsion system for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program. Taken together, the two contracts will keep Rolls-Royce busy in Indianapolis for the next 50 years or more, Baker said.

PROPELLING INDIANA

The Rolls-Royce success story and its role in the American defense industry highlights Indiana’s capacity to shape the future.

The state’s business-friendly environment, along with Purdue University and Indiana’s other world-class research assets, made Rolls-Royce right at home here after its purchase of Allison Engine 30 years ago. And the company’s experience in Indiana since then convinced it to invest $1 billion to modernize its Indiana manufacturing, assembly and testing facilities, a multi-year project that will wrap up in late 2025.

The company’s benefit to the state and to Indianapolis isn’t limited to its sprawling manufacturing and assembly operations. Rolls-Royce employs approximately 900 engineers and support staff in downtown Indy, adding vibrancy to the heart of the city.

The company is also active in the broader business community, supporting with funding and/or board membership organizations like the Indy Chamber, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, and Conexus Indiana—the state’s advocacy group for the advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Rolls-Royce employees regularly donate time and money to organizations such as Riley Children’s Hospital, Gleaners Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. And the company supports veterans’ organizations, which represent an important group for Rolls-Royce. The company has a large population of veterans in its workforce.

Given its expertise in advanced manufacturing and its reliance on the engineering profession, Rolls-Royce also works diligently to promote STEM education and STEM-based activities in Indianapolis-area schools.

“We are grateful to have a company like Rolls Royce here in Indianapolis,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “As one of our largest employers—supporting over 3,000 of our residents—they play a huge role in the economic fabric of our city. And, thanks to their eye for innovation that has won them several federal contracts, they continue to bring significant investments to our city, benefitting Indianapolis and our entire state.”

FAST FACTS

WHO: Rolls-Royce PLC, one of the world’s preeminent manufacturers of highly efficient, integrated power and propulsion solutions.

INDIANA PRESENCE: Multiple Indianapolis-area manufacturing facilities. More Rolls-Royce products are built in Indianapolis than anywhere else in the world. Rolls-Royce is also a major supporter of Purdue University’s Zucrow Laboratories, the largest academic propulsion laboratory in the world.

KEY CUSTOMERS: The U.S. Department of Defense, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Bell, Robinson Helicopter, Gulfstream, and major commercial airline providers such as American Airlines, United, and Delta.

INDIANAPOLIS-AREA EMPLOYMENT: Approximately 3,500

RECENT LOCAL INVESTMENT: $1 billion across two modernization projects in Indianapolis and West Lafayette. It was the company’s single largest investment in the U.S. in the last 25 years.