Rotherham’s investment in attracting cutting edge industry is paying dividends – and the borough is now firmly aligned with world-leading advanced technological excellence.
Its historical expertise in metal development and processing has been a powerful factor in its rebirth – along with the Borough Council’s bold initiatives and willingness to work in partnership with the private sector.
This, combined with its Tier 2 Assisted Area Status means relocating companies may qualify for financial aid such as the Selective Finance for Investment Scheme (SFI). The borough also has a share in the £700 million pot of the EU’s Objective 1 funding.
The £600 million Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) is a physical symbol of how companies in Rotherham lead the way in the field of modern technological thought on a global level.
The 100-acre site provides a unique national and international resource with facilities for a cluster of world-class manufacturing and materials research centres and high-technology manufacturing companies to co-locate.
Part of that development is the internationally-acclaimed Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) – a £45 million collaboration between Boeing, the world’s leading aerospace company, key Government offices and the University of Sheffield.
The world-class facility is dedicated to developing innovative, technology-driven solutions for materials-forming, metal-working, and castings to help ensure UK manufacturing remains competitive in the world. In November 2007 it won the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Award for higher and Further Education, recognising its “outstanding achievement at a world-class level”.
The AMRC houses the latest manufacturing equipment and state of the art production capabilities enabling businesses to trial new developments in a full-scale commercial production facility, before making significant and high-risk investment decisions.
Its ‘Factory of the Future’, completed at the end of 2007, features information communications technology (ICT) and virtual manufacturing as key components, as well as alternative manufacturing methods such as additive manufacturing processes which grow three-dimensional parts. It is part Rolls-Royce, part Yorkshire Forward, part Objective 1 funded.
Communications manager Tim Scherer said: “The borough has a massive skills base. In the areas of machinery and metals, the indigenous expertise was already here – we’re just building on that expertise.
“And because there is so much space available, the decision to base the AMRC in Rotherham was an extremely cost effective move and with excellent transport links, the decision was made easily.”
Also based at the AMP is pioneering materials joining technology company The Welding Institute (TWI). The company is an independent membership-based research and technology company with a vision to develop a global network to stimulate economic growth through its work.
TWI business development manager Iain Smith said: “Heavy engineering went through something of a recession which hit the region hard.
“But engineering is in the blood, and it has not gone away – it has just taken a change of direction with a more advanced, high tech approach.
“The idea of the AMP was to bring together a number of organisations involved in advanced manufacturing and metals technologies to capitalise on shared specialisms.
“TWI wanted to be part of that and opened an office here while the park was still being built.”
Castings Technology International (Cti) invested £9.6 million when it relocated to Rotherham’s AMP in 2006. The company is a research and technology-based specialist in casting design, materials development and selection, specifications, manufacturing technologies, quality control, testing and performance.
At its Rotherham site it conducts R&D directed largely at the economic improvement of the integrity and performance of cast components. It also offers technical support and advisory services associated with analysis and testing, library and information and technology and knowledge transfer.
Cti chief executive Dr Mike Ashton said: “Our focus on special metals and fast manufacturing complements regional capabilities, and we are now working with more companies in this area than ever before.
“Growth in this local demand has necessitated construction of a second building on the park, so we will soon have more than 90,000 sq ft of space on eight acres of the AMP in which to carry out production-scale development of high-technology components in advanced materials.
“We have repeatedly proven our capability to capture business on a substantial scale for regional companies and we are confident that this business model will deliver ever-increasing value to the Rotherham area and beyond.”
A major force in the transformation of the borough’s economy is the council’s regeneration arm, Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO). Its team of inward investment and business support advisers offer free expert advice and guidance for relocating companies. They can supply up-to-date information on available sites, including database searches for premises, details on land and labour costs, recruitment, planning issues, housing, schools and other settling-in services.
CONTACT POINT
Andrew Nettleton, Business Investment Manager
Rotherham Investment & Development Office
Tel:+44-(0)1709-372099
E-mail: andrew.nettleton@rido.org.uk
Web: www.rido.org.uk
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