Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing refers to the use of cutting-edge skills or technologies to generate efficiencies and improvements in production processes.
From advanced robotics to 3D printing, the sector has significant growth potential and is estimated to contribute £162 billion to the UK economy.
Why Glasgow?
With a skilled workforce, research expertise and strong manufacturing base, the Glasgow region has much to offer the engineering and advanced manufacturing sector. The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), is a globally recognised centre of excellence in innovative manufacturing technologies, R&D, and metal forming and forging research.
The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) ─ a 130-acre business and manufacturing district in development close to Glasgow Airport ─ is set to become a world-leading site for innovation, research and manufacturing. AMIDS is supported by significant public sector investment, and is already home to several international manufacturers. Two new innovation centres ─ the £65 million National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland and the £56 million Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre ─ will be based in the district.
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) was established in 2009 as a collaborative venture with Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government, and founding industry members Rolls-Royce, Boeing and Timet. It was one of the founding centres of the UK Government’s High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, and remains the only centre of its kind in Scotland. The AFRC is working with the Scottish Government, its agencies and Scottish industry to help deliver its manufacturing action plan, ‘A Manufacturing Future for Scotland’.
The University and AFRC are the anchor partner for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – a £65 million factory for the future, and the centrepiece of the developing Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) at Inchinnan, strategically located next to Glasgow International Airport. NMIS is a strategic collaboration between the Scottish Government and the University, aiming to drive fundamental change in the competitiveness of Scottish industry through adoption of cutting-edge research, innovation and skills provision. The University is also a strategic partner in the new industry-led Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC), another large-scale example of international collaboration in the AMID.
AFRC is at the heart of the country’s manufacturing R&D sector, enabling all types of company – from global original equipment manufacturers through to local manufacturing businesses – to access the technology and expertise needed to deliver innovative processes and products. Demand initially came from the aerospace sector, but AFRC has now grown to support companies from across the manufacturing landscape including oil and gas, medical devices, energy, food and drink, automotive and general engineering. The most recent technical advancement has been in the establishment of a digital manufacturing team to focus on the industry 4.0 manufacturing concept.
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