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Overview: Wales has a long and distinguished
history of industrial innovation and achievement, emerging as a leading force in
a diverse range of high-tech sectors, from aerospace to technology and
bioscience. Cardiff, the capital, is an international city with a strong
business base and world-renowned sporting and cultural venues. Other major
centres are Newport and Swansea in the south and Wrexham in the north.
Wales is home to a world-class aerospace industry covering a wide range of
operations, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and equipment
manufacturing. There are around 150 aerospace and related companies, including
GE Aircraft Engine Services Ltd, whose engine MRO centre near Cardiff is its
largest in the world and will be servicing the engines for the Airbus A380. The
Welsh automotive sector consists of over 250 automotive companies – around 40 of
the top 100 globally and employs around 25,000 people, generating over £3
billion annually.
“We could have established a
technology centre anywhere in the world. However, there are compelling
operational reasons for basing this new centre in Wales. It has the right skill
pool, employee loyalty and is ideally situated geographically.”
Heath Davies, chief operations officer, SWORD Group
Key sectors:
aerospace, automotive components, manufacturing, engineering; optoelectronics,
semiconductors, telecommunications, ICT, software, multimedia; life sciences,
biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceutical; petrochemical; food and drink;
financial and business services, contact centres.
R&D strengths:
aerospace, manufacturing, engineering, materials; optoelectronics, electronics,
telecommunications, software, digital media; biotechnology, medical devices,
medicine, pharmaceutical; sustainable technologies.
Major investors include:
ATL Telecom, Adler Manufacturing, Admiral Insurance, Agilent Technologies,
Airbus, Alcatel, Avana Bakeries, Aviza Technology Inc, ,xiom Manufacturing
Services, BAE Systems, BG Group, BT, Biomatrix Pharma, Biomet Europe, Bisley
Office Equipment, Britax, British Airways, Calsonic Kansei, Carlisle, Carlyle
Group, Citiraya, Chevron, Cogent Defence and Security Networks, Corus,
Creditsafe.com, Days Healthcare UK Ltd, EADS, Electroimpact Inc, Exxon Mobil,
Ford, GE Aircraft Engine Services Ltd, GE Healthcare, General Dynamics, HBOS
HSBC, Huntleigh Diagnostics, IBM, ING Direct, InsureYourMotor.com, International
Rectifier, Irvin-GQ Ltd, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, Legal & General, Lloyds TSB,
LogicaCMG, Masco Corporation, Mitel, Molecular Light Technology,
Moneysupermarket.com, Murphy Oil, Nordam, Norgine, Novelis, Panasonic
Communications, Petronas, Picture Financial, Pure Wafer, Qatar Gas, QioptiQ,
Quinn Radiators, RWE Robert Half, STS, Safe Information Group, SELEX Sensors &
Airborne Systems, Siemens Medical Solutions, Sogefi, Solutia, SPX Contech, Stena,
Sumitomo Electrical Wiring Systems, SWORD Group, TWI, Takao Europe, Texaco,
TotalFinaElf, Toyota, Tyco Electronics, Ubiquity Software, Valtech, Wockhardt,
Zurich Financial Services.
Grants:
The financial assistance available is among the best in the UK. West Wales and
the Valleys are Tier 1 Assisted Areas and also benefit from European Objective 1
funds. Regional Selective Assistance is available in certain parts of Cardiff,
Flintshire, Newport and Powys (see map on Grants Information).
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