Yorkshire Forward has invested £6.50 M to build a 'Factory of the Future', as part of the second phase of development of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, located at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Waverley, Rotherham, UK. On completion the facility will be owned by the University of Sheffield. It will contribute to the pioneering work of the region's advanced engineering and materials sector by creating a unique centre to exploit highly innovative technologies.
It will house the latest manufacturing equipment and state of the art production capabilities to enable businesses trial new developments in a full scale commercial production capacity, before making significant and high risk investment decisions. Information Communications Technology (ICT) and 'virtual' manufacturing will be key components of the new facility, as will alternative manufacturing methods.
Over 100 researchers will be stationed at the centre, who will be responsible for transferring knowledge of these pioneering industrial techniques to manufacturing companies throughout the region. The 4,200 m2 facility is expected to be of significant interest to regional companies in the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors. It is also projected to attract investment partners from around the globe and will build an international reputation for manufacturing excellence.
Jim Farmery, head of innovation at Yorkshire Forward, said, "Our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre has already established an enviable reputation worldwide as an international centre of excellence in production technology. This new Factory of the Future is a unique opportunity for us to establish the centre as the leading UK research and development facility for a wider range of manufacturing techniques."