- The University of Sheffield has opened a major new research and development facility to boost UK manufacturing and attract jobs to the Lancashire region
- The AMRC North West is based on a hugely successful model for academic and industry collaboration that has driven innovation and attracted major investment into South Yorkshire
- New facility will focus on advanced manufacturing sectors including aerospace, digital manufacturing, clean energy technologies and additive manufacturing
- Situated near Preston, the AMRC North West has been described as a 'game changer' for the economy of the region, and will play a key role in growing businesses, creating high value jobs, closing the skills gap and helping level-up the region.
A major new state-of-the-art research and development facility that is set to be a game changer for the economy in the North West of England, has officially opened today (10 March 2022).
The new £20 million applied R&D centre is based on a model for academic and industry collaboration pioneered by the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), which has been hugely successful in driving innovation and attracting investment into the South Yorkshire region.
The AMRC North West, situated to the east of Preston, will play a major role in driving innovation in the UK's advanced manufacturing sectors including aerospace, digital manufacturing, clean energy technologies and additive manufacturing.
Close to a BAE Systems facility, the AMRC North West has already been described by local leaders as a 'game changer' for the economy of the region, and will play a key role in helping businesses grow, creating high value jobs, closing the skills gap and helping level-up the region.
This model for academic and industry collaboration at the University of Sheffield AMRC, a facility on the border of Sheffield and Rotherham, played a crucial role in attracting Boeing to open its first European production facility in South Yorkshire and supercar manufacturer McLaren to open a new manufacturing facility in the region. It's hoped the AMRC North West can help to attract similar investment to Lancashire whilst also supporting existing businesses in the region, from SMEs to some of the world's biggest manufacturers.
