The Bentley Bees have returned from hibernation to start work with a little extra help from their friends.
The Crewe-based company is installing two additional beehives, with one more to follow.
It will take the number of Flying Bees to 300,000, the largest collection in the UK automotive industry.
A phased production ramp up is expected to produce more than 200 jars of honey by the end of the harvest season.
The bees spent the winter months in hibernation with local beekeepers, Buckley’s Bees Ltd.
Now the 120,000 bees are back home and will be joined by an additional 180,000 British Apis Mellifera honeybees.
The amount of national beehives will increase from two to five, all on the edge of Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe.
The area is filled with bee-friendly wild flowers and borders the Cheshire countryside, which provides the perfect habitat for the bees.
Bentley has also planted 100 native British trees on site, making the bees feel at home, as they ramp up their honey production line.
Each hive can create 15kg of honey, meaning around 200 jars could be produced and shared with Bentley’s colleagues and visitors.
Peter Bosch, Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said: “Bentley’s Flying Bees have become a firm fixture in Crewe and as we come back stronger as a business, now is the time for our bees to return and bring a little extra help with them.
“This is all part of a wider sustainability programme at Bentley as a significant contributor to local biodiversity and adds to our ambition to lead sustainable luxury mobility in the future.”
Production on the Continental GT and Flying Spur lines is back underway at the South Cheshire plant as more employees return to work.
Bentley was recognised by the Carbon Trust last year with the headquarters in Crewe achieving Carbon Neutral status.
Measures include use of renewable electricity, 100% either generated by on-site solar panels or purchased as certified green electricity, and 100% certified green gas.
