The first milestone met: Turf Cutting Ceremony for RBVE’s new manufacturing facility

Members of the Magrock team were delighted to attend the official Turf Cutting ceremony for Royal British Veterans Enterprise’s (RBVE) new manufacturing, warehousing and training facility in Aylesford, Kent.

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The ceremony was attended by Falklands veteran Simon Weston CBE, who cut the first turf to mark the first major milestone for the scheme. Guests heard speeches from Lisa Farmer OBE, Chief Executive at RBVE, and from Simon, who spoke poignantly about the opportunities the new facility will provide for veterans, his own experiences, and the importance of veterans feeling needed as an integral part of their recovery. These words set the tone for a project that is as much about people as it is about the building itself.

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At the heart of the project is RBVE’s purpose, empowering veterans, their families, and people with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives by creating meaningful employment, providing homes and building communities. Its social enterprise produces more than 250,000 road, rail and commercial signs each year for customers including Network Rail and National Highways, and more than 70% of the employees in its manufacturing businesses are veterans, disabled, or both. For many, that work provides stability, routine and a sense of purpose as they adjust to life outside the armed forces.

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The new Training Academy will build on that purpose, giving veterans access to learning, employability support and skills development, and helping more people take their next step into civilian working life. Together with the expanded manufacturing facility, it is expected to create hundreds of new employment, learning and development opportunities.

“Today we cut the first turf on a new £15 million factory that will create hundreds of jobs for veterans and disabled people.

I’ve personally been looking forward to this for a very long time. There have been many plans, drawings, and meetings. Now there is a field with a spade, and I love it.

Only 52.8% of disabled people are in work, compared with 82.5% of non-disabled people. Veterans and disabled people don’t want charity. They want an opportunity to work, to contribute and to be part of a team.

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So, we decided to build somewhere that says yes. The factory will create hundreds of jobs and learning opportunities, with a Training Academy offering accredited qualifications”

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Magrock was appointed earlier this year to deliver the 68,000 sq ft facility, adjacent to the M20, which will become the cornerstone of RBVE’s next chapter. The two-storey building will bring together production, design finishing and fulfilment spaces with a sales showroom, recycling space, canteen and quiet room. The project will be delivered in multiple phases around RBVE’s live operations, and the site holds the remains of a former manor house, which Magrock will hand-dig around under a watching brief from Canterbury Archaeological Trust.

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Practical completion of the first phase is scheduled for September 2027, with the second phase following in January 2028.

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“Cutting the first turf is a proud moment for everyone at Magrock. Hearing from Lisa and Simon was a reminder of why this project matters, and as a Kent-based contractor, it means a great deal to help RBVE create a home that will support veterans for years to come. We look forward to working closely with the RBVE team as the building takes shape”