Significant projects are already in the pipeline to revolutionise hi-tech manufacturing processes and the Centre will allow researchers to demonstrate new processes on an industrial scale to would-be manufacturers.
The MTC at Ansty Park, near Coventry, will give the Midlands a competitive edge in terms of a knowledge and technical hub, as well as bringing down the costs of research and development efforts. It also means up to 150 highly-skilled jobs for the region - one of the hardest hit in the recent economic downturn. And its work will support legions of smaller businesses supplying to the manufacturing industry.
The MTC represents one of the largest public sector investments in manufacturing research and development for many years, and supports a key regional initiative to boost manufacturing competitiveness and ensure sustainable economic growth.
It will concentrate on assembly, fabrication and joining technologies, looking at processes like intelligent automation and operational performance. This will be supported by modeling and simulation work. It will also look at processes which involve less materials input and therefore wastage (near net shape manufacturing).
The initial £40 million building and equipment costs are being jointly funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and east midlands development agency (emda). A further £90 million public and private sector revenue funding is planned from the industrial research and development sector over the next ten years.
The MTC will be established and run by founding research partners including Loughborough University, the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, and TWI Ltd, the operating division of The Welding Institute.
Major companies signed up to the project are Rolls-Royce, Aero Engine Controls and Airbus in the UK, who will be undertaking significant research and development projects at the facility.
Industries that will benefit from the Centre include aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics assembly, and heavy duty construction equipment companies.
Business Minister Ian Lucas said: “I am delighted to see we have reached this key milestone in bringing the Manufacturing Technology Centre to fruition. It is of vital importance that businesses and universities work in collaboration and Ansty Park enables this to happen. It is also a prime example of how we can secure crucial jobs in the regions.
"The recent signatories to the Manufacturing Technology Centre demonstrate that UK manufacturers are at the heart of the economy and that Britain remains a world class manufacturing nation."
Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: "This is good news for the future of manufacturing in the region and a major milestone for Ansty Park.
"Advantage West Midlands first created the vision for a world-class research and development park here and invested millions preparing the site. This has been a big and complex project to deliver – but that’s what regional development agencies do.
"We’ve played a unique role in bringing together MTC partners and stakeholders to develop long-term economic benefits. Independent economic assessment predicts £25 return on investment for the West Midlands for every pound invested in MTC. If you take into account the knock-on effect this will have for UK businesses this becomes £45 for every £1 invested."
Peter Flinn, interim director for the MTC, said: "The centre is unique in that it will bridge the gap between research and full-blown manufacturing, showing manufacturers up front how these new processes can work for them before they take the major financial risk of putting them into practice."
Bryan Jackson, Chairman of East Midlands Development Agency (emda), which also takes the lead role for manufacturing on behalf of England's regional development agencies, said: "With the signing of this agreement, the Manufacturing Technology Centre is one step closer to becoming a reality.
“EMDA and Advantage West Midlands have come together to provide the funds for the MTC because we recognise the vital importance of manufacturing to the economies of the East and West Midlands. Once completed, we will have a world-class research and development facility which will enable our manufacturing businesses to exploit new ideas, enabling companies to bring exciting, new and innovative products to market.”
West Midlands regional minister Ian Austin said: “Manufacturing is a key part of our economy here in the West Midlands and we need to ensure that we are at the forefront of the new industries and jobs that we’ll need to compete in the future.
“The MTC will provide a unique facility that will bridge the gap between academic research and commercial production in a way that has never been achieved before – enabling companies and universities to undertake collaborative research and test products on an industrial scale.”
Minister for the East Midlands, Phil Hope MP said: “The Manufacturing Technology Centre demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting our manufacturing businesses.
"It also shows the impact that regional development agencies make, not only in providing the all-important funding required for projects such as this, but also in bringing together businesses, universities and trade bodies to share their wealth of expertise and knowledge.
"The MTC will give manufacturers in the Midlands an outstanding facility which will help to give them a significant competitive advantage in the global marketplace."
Dr Hamid Mughal, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering and Technology at Rolls-Royce, said: "Our leading involvement in the MTC is a major element of our strategy to develop a global network of advanced manufacturing research centres. The MTC broadens the coverage of key manufacturing processes and we are looking forward to working alongside our partners in its open, collaborative and innovative environment."
Simon Burr, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Engine Controls, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce plc and Goodrich Corporation,said: "We have seen first-hand the huge benefits that a manufacturing research centre can create by bridging the gap between blue sky university research, machine manufacturers and the industrial users.
"In the field of high value electronics assembly the MTC will become a key differentiator not only for us but for a whole UK industrial sector."
Mark Summers, Head of Manufacturing Research at Airbus Operations Ltd, said: “The MTC will bridge the gap between academic research and industrialisation within our UK operations. The new innovative and collaborative approach will make best use of the UK skills portfolio to ensure World Class manufacturing practices are achieved.
"The MTC will enable state of the art technology and process implementation, delivering a step change from today’s manufacturing systems. The concept aligns with our manufacturing strategy, enabling a framework of research and exploitation centres, delivering to our future aircraft programme needs."
Professor Chris Rudd, The University of Nottingham's Pro-Vice-Chancellor responsible for Knowledge Transfer and Business Engagement and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, said: "The MTC epitomizes the kind of statement that the UK needs to make about its commitment to high value manufacturing. It provides a superb platform for our best researchers to put their innovative ideas to the test in a demanding industrial context."
Professor Nigel Weatherill, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said: "The MTC is crucial to the economic development of the Midlands and the UK. Manufacturing technology equates to productivity, one of the key elements of competitiveness. The centre will capitalise on research flowing from universities and deliver production-ready solutions for industry."