A leading manufacturing research centre, Derby City Council and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (D2N2) are backing a strategy to improve the regional economy, skills and jobs.
The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has signed an agreement to establish a 50,000 square foot facility at Infinity Park, in Derby.
An extension of Infinity Park’s existing iHub building (PICTURED), the new facility would develop high-tech engineering and manufacturing technologies. The AMRC would initially be based at the iHub building while developing the new facility’s plans. It would eventually aim to gain High Value Manufacturing ‘Catapult’ Centre status; joining the network of UK not-for-profit, independent research centres looking to transform the UK’s capacity for innovation.
Derby City Council and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership are supporting the AMRC plans.
Infinity Park, the proposed site of the new AMRC facility, is one of four sites making up the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone. Businesses in the Zone enjoy benefits including Government support for faster broadband connections; and being able to apply for up to 100% business rate discounts OR for 100% enhanced capital allowances (tax relief) when investing in plant and machinery.
The strategic development of the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone is overseen by the D2N2 LEP, the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
D2N2 is investing £12.9million to develop the Infinity Park over a six year period, via its allocation of Local Growth Fund monies; Government funding awarded to the LEP to co-fund infrastructure projects in its area.
Councillor Martin Rawson, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Economy, said: “I have no doubt that this will act as a catalyst for attracting even more high-tech engineering and manufacturing companies to Infinity Park, as Derby is again recognised as a leader in this area.”
Andrew Storer, Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for energy at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, added: “Our work at the AMRC has made the Sheffield City Region a magnet for smart inward investors. With the support of Derby City Council and D2N2 our plan is to create that same impact here at Infinity Park in Derby.
“We work with manufacturing companies – large and small – to de-risk investments in new technologies.”
The Derby announcement follows completion in January (2018) of the University of Nottingham’s £24m Advanced Manufacturing Building, on Derby Road, at the south entrance to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus. This 9,000 square metre building – built to host research groups involved in advanced manufacturing linked to automation, precision manufacturing, 3D printing and lightweight composites – received £5m from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation.
For more information on the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre see its website at www.amrc.co.uk/
For further information about the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership see its website at www.d2n2lep.org/Home
Media wanting further information about the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
