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3 minute read

Investment tops £75m for new Scottish manufacturing centre

An additional £20m of funding has been announced for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), bringing total Scottish government investment in the project to £75m.

The investment in the facility, which includes the existing Lightweight Manufacturing Centre which opened last year as a specialist technology centre, will help develop the future of Scotland’s manufacturing sector as the economy rebuilds after Covid-19. Operated by the University of Strathclyde, NMIS will be an industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise, aiming to attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

The announcement comes as Morrisons Construction secured a contract to build the new facility. Construction will begin later this year and is anticipated to take 18 months, supporting more than 200 jobs.

The additional £20m investment for NMIS, brings total Scottish government funding to £75m / Picture: HLM Architects/Scottish Enterprise

 

Additionally, the Scottish government has announced £15.8m of investment in the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund (AMCF). The fund will enable 12 projects, involving universities, colleges, third sector organisations and local authorities, to offer free services across the country to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop their manufacturing capabilities.

Both NMIS and the AMCF will help Scotland’s manufacturing sector to transform skills, productivity and innovation.

The NMIS facility, next to Glasgow Airport, will be the anchor tenant for the Renfrewshire Council-led Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, which also includes the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, another specialist technology centre.

Fiona Hyslop, economy secretary, said: “Like many parts of the economy, manufacturing has been adversely affected by the impact of coronavirus. But the crisis has also demonstrated why we need a strong manufacturing sector, with many companies contributing to the national effort by re-purposing or scaling-up their activity to supply vital equipment to health and social care.

“The Scottish government is working with our partners to create a successful, vibrant and diverse manufacturing sector. The National Manufacturing Institute and the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund both form a key part of that, helping companies across Scotland to develop skills, perfect the latest techniques, and push forward with cutting-edge research.”

Scottish Enterprise managing director, Linda Hanna, said: “Helping manufacturers face new challenges and get back on track is our priority. NMIS, as a national centre, combined with the depth and reach of these 12 Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund projects delivered at a local level, will be a fantastic resource to help SMEs across the length and breadth of Scotland embrace innovation and use new technologies to support their competitiveness.

“A collaborative approach is vital to kick-start the economy, and it’s great to see this in action through both NMIS and the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund projects to support the future of Scottish manufacturing.”


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