NEW EATON INVESTMENT AT DAEDALUS
EATON - A GLOBAL LEADER IN AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING
Major Aerospace Investment Boosts Daedalus as Regional Hub
The Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone (DSEZ) is cementing its position as a vital asset for the aerospace sector in the South East, with recent developments highlighting significant investment and continued growth. A major industrial deal has secured the long-term presence of Eaton, a global leader in aircraft component manufacturing, at the Daedalus business park in Fareham.
Eaton's Strategic Move to Daedalus Eaton will relocate from its long-standing base at Abbey Works in Fareham to a new, purpose-built
176,000 sq ft Grade A manufacturing facility at
Faraday Business Park within Daedalus. This move follows Royal London Asset Management Property’s acquisition of the nine-acre Daedalus site from Fareham Borough Council, with Eaton securing a
20-year pre-let agreement.
Construction of the new facility began in July 2025 and it is expected to be ready for occupancy by September 2026. The development is designed to meet the highest environmental standards, targeting BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings, and will include modern manufacturing space, offices, and employee well-being features like a rooftop terrace.
Matt Price, General Manager of Eaton’s Fuel Systems Business Unit, emphasized that the new facility represents a significant investment for Eaton, ensuring its market-leading competitive position through cutting-edge technology and production systems. This relocation cements Eaton’s long-term presence in Fareham, retaining hundreds of jobs and demonstrating a commitment to the local area and the wider UK manufacturing base.
Daedalus: A Pioneering Hub for Aerospace and Beyond The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus, established in 2012, is a Government-designated area backed by significant public sector investment aimed at fostering business growth and job creation. Developed through a partnership including Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Homes England, and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, Daedalus has a rich history as a military airfield and training base dating back to WW1.
Today, with Solent Airport at its heart, Daedalus continues its tradition with businesses from the aerospace and aviation sectors. It is considered an ideal location for pioneering businesses, particularly those in engineering, manufacturing, and technology, with a strong focus on the marine, aerospace, and aviation sectors.
The site benefits from direct access to a marine slipway and excellent road links, enhancing its connectivity for employees, customers, raw materials, and finished products. Extensive public sector investment has led to substantial infrastructure improvements, including new roads, business parks, education and innovation facilities, and a new all-weather runway at Solent Airport. Fareham Borough Council alone has invested around £28M in infrastructure at the site since 2015.
Key facilities and developments at Daedalus include:
- Faraday Business Park, where Eaton’s new facility is located.
- The Fareham Innovation Centre, which opened in 2015 and has since doubled in size.
- Daedalus Waterfront, an 18-hectare site ideally suited for marine sector businesses with direct slipway access, with plans to provide more employment space and bring historic buildings back into use.
- Solent Airport, owned by Fareham Borough Council.
- Various education and innovation facilities like CEMAST and CETC.
Councillor Simon Martin, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, highlighted that Daedalus is the borough’s largest dedicated employment site, already home to hundreds of jobs, and Eaton's addition of hundreds more is "great news for everyone".
In summary, Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone is a strategically important and valuable resource for the region, especially for the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. Eaton's significant long-term investment and relocation to a state-of-the-art facility further underscore Daedalus's role as a centre of excellence for innovation and economic growth in the South East of England.
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