Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe today to officially open the company’s new state-of-the-art Paint Shop, marking a significant step in the ongoing transformation of Bentley’s Dream Factory.
During the visit, she toured Bentley’s Design Studio, the new Paint Shop, and the wider manufacturing operations, meeting colleagues whose skills and craftsmanship underpin the company’s vehicles. The visit put a spotlight on Bentley’s continued investment in advanced manufacturing technology, sustainable production, and the future of luxury automotive manufacturing in the UK.
Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said the company was honoured to welcome the Princess Royal to Crewe for the official opening, calling it a proud moment that represented the culmination of considerable innovation and ambition. He said the visit offered a chance to celebrate the colleagues whose expertise and dedication continue to drive the company forward.
Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said the facility represents a major milestone in the Dream Factory’s transformation and a significant investment in British manufacturing’s future.
He said combining advanced technology with exceptional craftsmanship strengthens production capabilities and supports upcoming Bentley models, including the forthcoming Bentley Torcal, adding that the Paint Shop was designed around Bentley’s workforce — from improved thermal comfort to intelligent automation aimed at better ergonomics and flexibility.
The opening was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Princess Royal, reaffirming Bentley’s commitment to British manufacturing excellence as part of the Crewe headquarters’ ongoing development.
A First-of-Its-Kind Facility
The new Paint Shop represents a major investment in Bentley’s future and sits at the center of the company’s Dream Factory strategy. Spanning 12,500 square metres across multiple levels, it’s the tallest building on Bentley’s Crewe campus — and the first automotive paint shop in the world to use Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to move vehicle bodies through the paint production process.
Built for greater efficiency, flexibility and environmental performance, the facility also reflects Bentley’s broader push to create manufacturing environments suited to its workforce.
Advanced thermal management systems keep conditions cooler and more comfortable for colleagues performing skilled manual craftsmanship, while intelligent automation and AGVs reduce physical strain and improve ergonomics, alongside enabling more flexible production.
Combined with meaningful cuts to energy use, waste and emissions, the facility illustrates how new technology can advance sustainability and workplace design at the same time.
A Central Role in Bentley’s Future Lineup
The Paint Shop is set to play a key role in Bentley’s product roadmap. The Bentley Torcal, the brand’s fourth model line, will be painted at the facility from the very start of production, alongside the Continental GT, Continental GTC and Flying Spur.
The new building reinforces Bentley Motors’ ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, its people, and manufacturing excellence as the company works toward a modern, flexible and future-ready production site in Crewe.