Ministers gave further backing for British manufacturing excellence today with Business Minister Pat McFadden announcing an increase of Government funding to £40 million for a new manufacturing technology centre (MTC).
Since the Manufacturing Strategy was published in 2008, Government has set out a new activist approach to supporting the economy. The transition to low carbon and a move to high tech high value-added manufacturing give the industry new opportunities to build on its strong base. The Government is investing in MTC and similar facilities to help UK manufacturing realise those opportunities.
In a speech today to industry leaders from across manufacturing, Business Minister Pat McFadden will set out the need for an investment in skills as well as new technologies and will say for the sector to continue to grow and succeed it needs to have people with the right skills in the right place at the right time.
The Minister will also formally launch, Manufacturing Insight, a new industry backed body charged with improving the public perception of the sector and highlighting the diverse range of careers available.
Business Minister Pat McFadden will say:
Britain has a great manufacturing future, not just a great manufacturing past. We are the sixth largest manufacturing economy globally. But the face of manufacturing here is changing and we need to embrace and support the numerous opportunities created as a result
That’s why we’re investing in centres like Ansty Park to help business and universities collaborate and comercialise new and innovative products and processes.
The new centre at Ansty Park in the Midlands will form part of a national network of manufacturing centres offering support for business and universities. The network will support innovation in manufacturing, helping new and emerging products and processes get to market. The £40 million investment comes from Advantage West Midlands and East Midlands Development agency.
Up to twenty projects have already been identified to use the new centre at Ansty Park and it is hoped that up to 150 highly skilled jobs will be created. Over the next ten years a total of £130 million will be invested in the centre and constitutes the largest investment in a manufacturing research facility for many years.
Pat McFadden will add:
It’s not just technology that will help us move forward, we need the right people with the right skills too. Which is why I’m delighted to also be launching Manufacturing Insight. It will be promoting our success and working to attract the best of the next generation into these exciting, challenging careers.
Speaking about the role of Manufacturing Insight, Director Nick Hussey said:
Manufacturing Insight has an exciting and challenging opportunity to promote the careers available in a wide range of disciplines not traditionally associated with the sector including product design and rapid prototyping, process strategies, international supply chain logistics and a whole gamut of more general business skills.
With the changing face of manufacturing we want to help improve the perception of the sector to reflect its reality and inspire the next generation to consider what the full breadth of the manufacturing sector has to offer them.
Bryan Jackson, Chairman of East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), which has the lead role for manufacturing on behalf of England’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), said:
As RDAs we have been actively involved in the development of the Manufacturing Strategy and its implementation. Our investment in business support, skills development, R&D, trade and business efficiency reflects the significance of manufacturing in a balanced economy.
New Industry, New Jobs will add further to the development of manufacturing to ensure that we are in a strong, competitive style of health to take advantage of the recovery that will inevitably come.
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said:
Manufacturing is extremely important to the future prosperity of the Midlands’ and UK economy. Today’s announcement is fantastic news for manufacturing and will provide a huge boost for the competitiveness of our innovative industrial companies, large and small.
Independent economic assessment predicts a £45 return on investment for the UK for every pound invested in the MTC. This reflects the RDAs’ commitment to investing in activities which add the most value to the economy.
The RDAs’ unique positions as business like and business led organisations with strong relationships across the range of key agencies, such as local authorities, allows us to bring together the private and public sectors to deliver these crucial and major projects.
Further Information
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) brings together Midlands research universities Birmingham, Nottingham and Loughborough and The Welding Institute (TWI) to enable them to commercialise their science base through collaborative research programmes drawing in both private and public sector funds. It will also work Rolls Royce, Aero Engine Controls’ Airbus UK, JLR, Bombardier, BAe Systems and JCB.
Funding for the MTC will total £130 million over ten years of public and private money. £40 million up front from government is from Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA).
In September last year the Government published its strategy for the UK’s manufacturing sector: “New challenges, New Opportunities” to help UK firms take advantage of changing global trends in manufacturing. This included £150m worth of investment for expanding the Manufacturing Advisory Service and committed to setting up Manufacturing Insight.
See: the Manufacturing Insight web site at: www.manufacturinginsight.co.uk
About the East Midlands Development Agency
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Independent evaluation shows emda puts back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends. emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.
emda’s aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations, to achieve the vision of ‘a flourishing region’ by 2020.
About Advantage West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England whose role is to transform the English regions through sustainable economic development.
About the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy.
Source: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=408039&SubjectId=2
